Senators reach bipartisan deal on veterans health scandal as 18 deaths are confirmed

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/06/senators-reach-bipartisan-deal-on-veterans-health-scandal-as-18-deaths-are-confirmed/



Senators reach bipartisan deal on veterans health scandal as 18 deaths are confirmed
By Reuters
Friday, June 6, 2014 4:28 EDT

Senate negotiators reached a bipartisan deal on Thursday to ease healthcare delays at the Department of Veterans Affairs as the agency’s acting boss revealed that 18 veterans on a secret waiting list had died while waiting for VA care in Phoenix.

The Senate plan was quickly put together to address a crisis that has embarrassed the Obama administration and worried lawmakers in the run-up to November’s mid-term elections.

If passed, it would allow veterans more access to private doctors and give the VA new authority to open 26 clinics, hire more doctors and nurses and fire poor-performing staff.

It was reached after rare bipartisan negotiations led by Senator John McCain, a Republican, and Bernard Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats.

[newfie11]

1. Any bets the House will block it

I'm sure they would love to but the bad publicity might be enough to stop them.