WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted in favor of S.544, which passed the House Floor unanimously on a bipartisan basis and eliminates the sunset of the Veterans Choice Program (that was set to end in August 2017), while improving benefits for veterans.

“Our veterans deserve only the best from a grateful nation and that includes the best healthcare,” said Rep. Norcross. “This extension had support from both sides of the aisle and I am proud to stand up for our veterans in an effort to provide them with improved access to care.”

The Veterans Choice Program was enacted on August 7, 2014 and provided $10 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay for certain veterans to receive health care from participating providers in the private sector. In addition eliminating the sunset of the program, the bill also requires the VA to act as the primary payer, rather than a secondary payer for care provided under the Veterans Choice Program. Currently, the VA acts as primary payer only for those veterans who are receiving care for service-connected conditions. It also allows the VA to have more leeway in spending money prior to August 7, 2017, when the previous program is set to expire.

Rep. Norcross added: “Our veterans deserve access to the best health care America can offer, where and when they choose. Today’s vote moves us in the right direction, but I’ll continue to fight for the rights of all veterans to use their VA benefits wherever they choose, no strings attached. America’s veterans defended our freedom, now let’s protect their health.”

Congressman Norcross authored the Veterans Freedom of Health Care Act in the 114^th Congress. The Act would allow veterans to use their VA benefits at the health care provider of their choice, like a doctor in their own town, instead of having to travel to a different city or state for an appointment.

A 2014 wait time scandal at the Phoenix, Arizona VA exposed systemic failures and lapses in care at VA facilities across the United States, including South Jersey. As a result, Congress approved more funding that allowed the VA to hire additional staff. But, the problems persist, with reports of hundreds of thousands of veterans still waiting months just to be seen.

Congressman Norcross’ bill would make veterans’ healthcare choices permanent and would expand the program to all veterans, regardless of how far they live from the nearest VA facility (the current iteration only allows veterans living 40 miles or more away from a VA facility to receive care outside the VA system). Additionally, the bill guarantees those who wish to receive their health care through the VA system can keep it. The Veterans Freedom of Health Care Act of 2015 earned support from Democrats, Republicans, local veterans’ organizations and health care providers.

###

Contact:
Ally Kehoe, Communications Director
ally.kehoe@mail.house.gov