WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), both members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced legislation to enhance the efficiency and quality of health care services provided to American veterans. The Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission (VetPAC) Act will facilitate a transparent, expert-driven review process for the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) operations.
“Veterans have made unimaginable sacrifices in service to our country and it is crucial that we continue working to ensure our veterans can access the high-quality health care they deserve,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m proud to reintroduce the VetPAC Act to create a new, independent commission to address challenges within the VHA and improve health care access, delivery, and quality for our veterans.”
Specifically, the VetPAC would:
The full text of the legislation is available here.
As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator Hirono has consistently worked to support veterans in Hawaii and across the country. This month, Senator Hirono also reintroduced the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2025, bicameral, bipartisan legislation that would speed up the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. In January, Senator Hirono introduced the Veterans Member Business Loan Act. This bipartisan and bicameral legislation expands access to capital for veteran-owned small businesses by removing arbitrary lending caps imposed on credit union member business loans. In May 2024, Senator Hirono introduced the Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act, legislation to improve the affordability of health care services for Native Hawaiian veterans. Among other things, the bill would eliminate copays for Native Hawaiian veterans for care received through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and would enable Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems to seek direct reimbursement from VA for care provided to Native Hawaiian veterans.
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