Grassroots veterans group present as President Trump signs important VA reform bill into law
ARLINGTON, Va.— Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) commended President Trump today for signing the VA MISSION Act of 2018 into law. The legislation was the result of extensive collaboration among a variety of veterans service organizations, Congressional leaders, the VA, and the White House.
The grassroots group was pleased that the administration provided leadership as the provisions stalled in Congress earlier this year and expressed thanks to lawmakers who came to the table on this consensus bill in order to stabilize the VA Choice program for America’s veterans and set the stage for more improvements in the future.
CVA Executive Director Dan Caldwell had this to say upon President Trump’s signing of the bill:
“We are very thankful lawmakers were able to set aside partisan differences and join with President Trump to advance this critical legislation. President Trump has been a tireless champion for expanding health care choices for veterans and this bill is a big win for those who use the VA and his administration. We are eager to continue working collaboratively with leaders in Congress and the Trump administration as we begin to implement the critical reforms in the VA MISSION Act.”
Click here to read the grassroots group’s letter of support for the VA MISSION Act.
BACKGROUND
The VA MISSION Act stabilizes and reforms the VA’s health care system by consolidating the VA’s community care programs, defining clear standards for when a veteran can access care outside of the VA, and initiates a review of the department’s infrastructure. The law also aims to reform the VA’s reimbursement and record-sharing systems for community providers.
The legislation enjoyed broad, bipartisan support as well as the endorsement from over 40 veterans groups, including CVA.
For years, CVA has advocated for substantial health care reforms at the VA. In CVA’s Fixing Veterans Health Care Taskforce, the group advocates that veterans should have the option to take their earned health care benefits and use them to access care at the VA or in the private sector.