Senators reach bipartisan deal on bill to fix VA
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Source: Washington Post
Senators announced a sweeping bipartisan agreement Thursday to address several issues at the beleaguered Department of Veterans Affairs with hopes of approving the agreement next week and sending it to the House for swift approval.
The agreement would allow veterans who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility or who are experiencing long wait times to seek care at other government or private medical facilities. Senators also propose providing $500 million for VA to hire more doctors and nurses to meet growing demand nationwide.
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If passed, the agreement will allow eligible veterans to use non-VA medical care if they are experiencing long wait times or live more than 40 miles from the nearest VA hospital or clinic. Veterans could choose instead to visit private facilities that accept Medicare or seek care at federally-qualified health centers, Indian Health Centers or medical facilities run by the Defense Department.
The bill would authorize VA to sign leases for 26 major medical facilities in 18 states and Puerto Rico and to spend $500 million hiring new doctors and nurses with expedited hiring authority. Those changes would help the VA address burgeoning demand for medical care from older, aging veterans and younger ones adapting to life after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/06/05/senators-reach-bipartisan-deal-on-bill-to-fix-va/
The bill also allows for expedited firing of employees.
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