Blumenthal Statement On Senate Passage Of Bipartisan VA Health Care Bill

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) released the following statement after the Senate voted 93-3 to pass legislation to increase veterans’ access to medical care and reform VA health centers nationwide.

“By passing this broad, historic, bipartisan bill to ensure that delays in treatment are eliminated and bad actors at VA health centers are held accountable, the Senate took a critical step toward keeping faith with veterans. A country that truly values its veterans should not subject them to deadly delays, secret waiting lists, and false records. The men and women who served our country earned and deserve timely access to the very best health care. VA health centers need a complete and comprehensive overhaul that includes more medical resources and healthcare providers, as well as expanded access to outside providers where necessary, and aggressive accountability enforced against incompetent and corrupt officials. I urge the House to approve this bill – right away – so that trust in VA health care can begin to heal, and our nation's heroes receive world class, first class medicine, when they need it.”

Blumenthal is a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.