Senator Stabenow Introduces Bill to Increase Accountability at the VA, Clear Backlog of Veterans Waiting for Care

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today joined a group of senators to introduce new legislation that increases accountability and addresses the serious backlog and unacceptable wait times at the Veterans Administration. This legislation follows earlier efforts by Senate Democrats to improve care for our veterans that have been filibustered by Republicans. The Restoring Veterans' Trust Act of 2014 brings immediate accountability to the VA that would strengthen the Department's ability to fire senior managers and officials responsible for poor performance at clinics. It then takes several immediate and long-term steps to reduce wait times and clear the backlog of veterans waiting for care, including hiring more doctors and nurses in the VA system.

"Our veterans put their lives on the line to keep our country safe, and they should get the care they need when they need it." said Stabenow. "Keeping our promise to veterans starts with making sure they get the quality health care they earned. And it means holding those responsible for these unconscionable delays accountable to make sure something like this never happens again. I have been and will remain strongly committed to providing our veterans with the resources they need to get the care they deserve."

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.