A compromise bill designed to improve the Veterans Affairs health care system overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday. The final vote was 420-5. It now heads to the Senate for a vote on Thursday.
Representative Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona said the goal is to get the legislation to the president’s desk before the congressional August recess.
"Our veterans have waited way too long for the care that they have earned," said Kirkpatrick. "And I always say that because our veterans have paid the price, now we have to fight for them with all our might and it’s good that we’re getting this done in a very bipartisan way."
If the bill passes, it would allow veterans experiencing lengthy wait times or those who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility to seek outside care. It would also make it easier to fire senior VA administrators.
