Press Release

Congressman Ami Bera, M.D., voted for a bipartisan bill to help veterans who are facing inexcusable wait times for medical care at VA health facilities – the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act. A compromise that was negotiated by both Republicans and Democrats, the bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 420 to 5. The bill is expected to pass the Senate and be signed into law by the President. Rep. Bera offered the following comment:

"As a doctor who's cared for veterans, I've seen firsthand how much they've sacrificed for our country. Congress had a moral responsibility to act after so many troubling reports of mismanagement and fraud at the VA, and I'm glad that people in both parties came together to do what's right for our vets. This is a much needed step in the right direction, but we can't let up. We must continue to monitor the situation at the VA, vigilantly guard against future abuses, and ensure the VA has the doctors and other resources it needs to care for our heroes. Our veterans have served us, now we must do our jobs and serve them."

The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act allows vets to receive health care at non-VA health facility if they can't get an appointment at a VA clinic within 30 days, or if they live more than 40 miles from a VA health facility. In addition, the bill provides funding so the VA can hire more doctors and on an expedited basis, and authorizes leases for new VA health facilities.

Bera has been working to address problems at the VA since his first month in office. He co-authored and helped pass the bipartisan 21st Century Health Care for Heroes Act to streamline the electronic health record system for service members and veterans to help address the VA backlog, and has consistently supported funding for veterans' health care and services.

He also recently introduced the bipartisan Doctors Helping Heroes Act to start to address the shortage of doctors at VA hospitals, and is pushing for a comprehensive VA audit to thoroughly check hospital records to address long waiting times that veterans face for medical care.

Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. represents Sacramento County. Born and raised in California, Bera is a physician and the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. He's fighting to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families and to reduce our country's debt in a responsible way. One of Bera's first acts in Congress was to help lead the effort to pass the No Budget No Pay Act, which says if members of Congress don't pass a budget, they don't get paid. As a leader of the No Labels' Problem Solvers, he's working with people from both parties to find bipartisan solutions to our nation's challenges. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove with their daughter Sydra. For more updates on Rep. Bera follow @RepBera on Twitter, like Congressman Bera on Facebook, or visit https://www.bera.house.gov.