HIRONO VOTES TO PROVIDE VETERANS WITH BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs and Armed Services Committees, voted to pass the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act. This bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Hirono, was introduced in response to widely-reported problems with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system.

“The compromise bill passed today will help improve veterans’ access to health care by giving patients more provider options, expediting the hiring of VA medical professionals and authorizing the leases of new medical facilities, including the Leeward Oahu VA Outpatient Healthcare Access Center,” said Hirono. “The bill also includes VA reforms to help hold officials more accountable. Although this bill is a positive step forward, we have a long way to go to restoring trust in VA management and addressing the complexities of the VA health system. I’ll continue to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure our veterans – who have served and sacrificed for us – receive quality care in a timely manner.”

Hawaii benefits in the bill include:

• $15,887,370 in authorized funds for the Leeward Oahu VA Outpatient Healthcare Access Center to be co-located with the Kapolei Vet Center and Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office.
• Directing VA to expand healthcare contracts with the Native Hawaiian Health Care System, community health centers and DOD among others.
• Providing University of Hawaii veteran students with in-state tuition; includes provision allowing UH to require veteran students to prove their intent to stay in Hawaii after college.