Glenn Thompson: “Yesterday the President signed into law the VA MISSION Act, which takes a number of steps toward giving our veterans the…”

“Yesterday the President signed into law the VA MISSION Act, which takes a number of steps toward giving our veterans the care they deserve. My bill, the VETS Act, was included in this larger package. It will allow VA-employed doctors to practice telemedicine across State lines. The VA already has an extremely successful telemedicine program, boasting an 88 percent satisfaction rating, but outdated regulations restricted this program from growing to achieve its full potential. The VETS Act will now allow VA doctors to utilize telemedicine to see patients in any State and any location, including in the comfort of their own home. This is especially helpful for veterans who are battling post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury who have had a hard time traveling to a VA facility or live in rural areas. Mr. Speaker, our veterans deserve the best care available to them, and the VETS Act is one of the provisions of the VA MISSION Act that will advance this care. I commend the President for signing this bill into law. Telemedicine is better access, better care, and true healthcare reform. ____________________”