VA MISSION Act: Another step toward a better VA

This month, President Trump signed into law legislation that makes some of the most transformative improvements at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in a generation. The bill marks the latest step the administration and Congress have taken to fulfill the promises we have made to those who have served.

Honoring our commitment to our nation’s veterans starts with making sure they receive the care and benefits they’ve earned. The legislation President Trump signed into law – the VA MISSION Act – strengthens and makes permanent the Veterans Choice Program (VCP). The program was put into place after the Phoenix VA scandal brought to light the completely unacceptable, and even fatal, wait times veterans were facing in the VA health system. Prior to the creation of this program, veterans in Southwest Missouri who sought treatment through the VA for serious medical conditions were often required to drive more than two hours to the VA facility in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Thanks to the VCP, veterans have more flexibility to receive care at the hospital or clinic of their choice if they have to drive more than 40 miles to the nearest VA facility, are unable to receive care within 30 days, or need health care treatment the VA can’t provide. That’s particularly important for veterans living in rural areas in our state, who might otherwise have to drive hours for the same treatment they could receive at a local hospital. Veterans can still choose to go to a VA hospital or clinic if that’s best for them, but this program gives them more options when seeking care. More than two million veterans, including a little over 32,000 Missourians, have already benefited from the VCP.

I’m also pleased the VA MISSION Act included legislation I introduced to improve mental and behavioral health treatment for our nation’s veterans. The stigma associated with veterans seeking care for mental health or substance abuse can sometimes result in them not getting the help they need. The VA employs peer specialists to provide fellow veterans the support they need in their care and recovery. With my bipartisan Veteran PEER Act, the VA will now allow peer specialists to operate as part of the primary care team – the main entry point into the VA for most veterans.

Congress and the administration are also working together to modernize the VA. In May, the Trump administration signed a contract with Cerner, headquartered in Kansas City, that will require the VA and Department of Defense to adopt the same electronic health record system. This will help ensure continuity of care as service members transition from the military to the VA system. The Senate Appropriations Committee, of which I’m a member, recently passed a funding bill that provides resources to move that effort forward.

Easing the transition to civilian life also means making sure veterans have access to opportunities once their active duty service has ended. As a member of the bipartisan Congressional Veterans Job Caucus, one of the measures I was proud to introduce and get signed into law was the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing Veterans (HIRE Vets) Act. The HIRE Vets Act established a national standard to help veterans narrow down their employment options and focus their job-search efforts on the companies that recognize the value their military service will bring to the job and will provide a long-term career path. The Department of Labor launched the HIRE Vets Medallion Program demonstration in January and 300 employers signed up to participate this year. The data gained through the demonstration will pave the way for full implementation of the program next year.

In less than two years under the Trump administration, we’ve made important progress to increase accountability at the VA and ensure our nation’s heroes have the benefits and support they deserve, but our work continues. Making sure we have the right policies and necessary resources in place to fulfill our obligations to those who have served will remain one of my top priorities.