I-Team: $17 billion deal could fix VA health program
DURHAM (WTVD) -- The clock is ticking but the U.S. House and Senate appear to have a struck a deal when it comes to an emergency overhaul at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"We have a serious problem and the VA has caused the problem," said Representative Jeff Miller (R-Fla).
Miller and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) hammered out the deal over the weekend. It includes more spending, more hospitals, better access to care, the opportunity for some vets to go out of the VA network, and changes that make it easier for the secretary of the VA to fire senior officials.
The deal includes $17 billion in spending - $12 billion in new, emergency funding and $5 billion from other parts of the VA's budget.
"Taking care of our vets is not inexpensive," said Sanders. But he said that money won't come without better oversight from Congress. "We have a new team and I hope the VA fully understands that some of what we've heard about is unacceptable. There's going to be a better relationship with Congress. They're going to provide information to us when we need it."
The VA footprint will also expand. Space has been a major problem and this bill addresses that by building more than two dozen new hospitals around the country.
And the legislation zeroes in on the timeliness problem: new veterans who are seeing long delays before getting into hospitals and in front of doctors. Vets who qualify will get a new "Care Card" that allows them to go out of the VA network for care, if they can't be seen in a two week window or have to go more than 40 miles to find a VA doctor.
"Veterans need a quick response," said Miller. "This is the way to make sure they have not been standing in line."
The two authors of the bill say they expect it to pass, despite some opposition. But they say anything short of full passage would look terrible. "This should and must go beyond politics," said Sanders. "It would be an absolute disgrace if we did not pass it so there will be agreement."
Congress is slated to recess for a five week break on Friday.
