Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following statement on her decision to vote against Choice Act reauthorization legislation in its current form. The Choice Act reauthorization that Kuster opposed this evening would have funded the program by taking money from other veterans’ benefits and services. The legislation is opposed by AMVETS, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association (IAVA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)America.

“While the Choice Program has faced challenges in adequately getting all veterans the care they need it is still an important program for veterans in New Hampshire,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “In a state like New Hampshire, that doesn’t have a full service VA hospital we need to make sure that veterans can access care in and out of the VA. I’m committed to working across the aisle to improve and reauthorize the Choice Program but unfortunately the legislation considered this evening would not have improved the Veterans Health Administration at a time when we need to be bolstering support for our veterans. I’m hopeful that we can come together to improve the VA, extend the Choice Program, and get the VA working for all Granite State veterans.”

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