Senate Passes Bill to Restore Accountability, Reduce Wait Times at the Department of Veterans Affairs

The Senate today passed legislation to restore accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs and reduce wait times at VA facilities so veterans can get the health care they deserve. The Veterans' Access to Care Through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 brings immediate accountability to the VA that will strengthen the Department's ability to fire senior managers and officials responsible for poor performance at VA health facilities. It also takes steps to reduce wait times and clear the backlog, including hiring more doctors and nurses in the VA system and providing expanded options for care for those veterans who live in rural areas or experience excessive wait times.

"Our veterans deserve to get the health care they need, when they need it," said Stabenow. "Those individuals who broke the law and lied about veterans wait times should be held responsible and accountable, and we must make sure something like this does not happen again. I will continue to work with the community and monitor the performance of VA facilities in Michigan to make sure they are meeting the highest standards."

For years, Senator Stabenow has led the fight to make sure that veterans get the care they need and bring veterans' health clinics to Michigan. New clinics have opened in Alpena, Bad Axe, Cadillac, Cheboygan County, Clare, and Grayling.