Senate Close to Voting on Bill to Reform Veterans Affairs Healthcare

Legislation to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and improve healthcare services for veterans in Nevada and other states is approaching a Senate vote this week, reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal . Key senators on Tuesday met with leaders of 38 veterans service groups in Washington, D.C., just prior to the Senate's 91-4 vote to limit debate and allow a vote on the VA Mission Act as early as today. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) said the measure would streamline community care programs, improve healthcare delivery, and expand caregiver programs. Meanwhile, Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) called the bill the best defense against privatization, describing the current VA Choice Program, which lets veterans get care from community providers if the VA cannot deliver such care in a timely manner, as "a wreck." Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) concurred that the Choice Program has failed, while the VA Mission bill would provide revisions that would better serve veterans, especially those in rural areas. The measure also would expand caregiver programs to serve those wounded while in service before Sept. 11, 2001, the current cutoff date for existing programs due to budgetary limitations. Tester and Isakson dismissed criticism of the bill over its $52 billion price tag. "Taking care of veterans is the price of war," Tester noted.