Press Releases
Kuster Votes to Reauthorize VA Choice Program**Section 212 of the Choice reauthorization includes Kuster provision to bolster VA hiring of medical staff**
Washington, DC,
July 28, 2017
Congresswoman Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today voted to pass a bipartisan compromise to reauthorize the Choice Program. The new reauthorization was negotiated by the House and Senate VA Committees after opposition to a reauthorization bill earlier this week, which failed to bolster services for veterans and received strong opposition from Veterans Service Organizations. The new reauthorization also includes a provision from Congresswoman Kuster’s legislation, the GOOD Act, which will help improve veterans’ access to quality care by making the Department of Veterans Affairs more competitive when hiring physician assistants. “I’m pleased that we were able to come together on the VA committee and in the House to pass this reauthorization of the Choice Program and bolster support for veterans,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “In a state like New Hampshire that lacks a full service VA hospital, we need to ensure that veterans are able to access care outside the VA in a timely and efficient manner. The Choice Program has been an important tool for many Granite State veterans, but not all veterans have found success in the program. I’m committed to working with my colleagues on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee to improve the Choice Program so that no veteran struggles to get the care they need.” “I’m excited that this Choice Authorization includes language from my legislation, the GOOD Act,” Kuster continued. “We need to make sure that the VA is competitive when hiring medical staff and my legislation will increase pay for VA physician assistants. I’m thrilled that earlier today the House passed additional provisions of GOOD Act and I urge the Senate to act on this commonsense legislation.” This morning, the House passed the GOOD Act, which would address the provider shortage at the VA by establishing a pilot program that awards educational assistance to veterans with medical military training. These veterans will be placed as physician assistants in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) that are designated of highest need. ### |