Media

Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. The legislation includes a provision to require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop a plan to ensure veterans who call the VA for a health care appointment are scheduled for an appointment before they hang up.

“As an Army combat veteran who served in the Vietnam War, I am no stranger to the roadblocks veterans face when attempting to receive timely attention and treatment,” said Rep. Baird. “The VA made a promise to deliver health care to our veterans when they return home from their service. Our service members should never be denied health care because of bureaucratic inefficiency, but that is the unfortunate reality our veterans face. I am encouraged to see that the sprit of my bill, the VA Same-Day Scheduling Act, was included in this package. My bill ensures that any veteran who makes a phone call to the VA requesting care can schedule their appointment during that phone call, and this package requires a plan to get there. Removing red tape and delivering timely care to veterans is one of my top priorities in Congress. I was proud to vote for this package and see it pass the U.S. House to ensure the VA finally delivers on its promise to provide quality health care for our brave men and women in uniform.”

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