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Good morning folks -  

I take seriously the responsibility you have entrusted in me to make Washington more competent and less wasteful.

This is why, every month I research and identify areas of abuse and inefficiencies then give out the Squeal Award, which recognizes a Washington expense, program or concept that is not working and must be fixed or eliminated.

This month, I want to share with you some good news on our efforts to make the government work better for our veterans...


Squeal Award: Detrimental Delays in Veterans' Care

This week, the Senate took a step in the right direction to help ensure those who have sacrificed for our freedom have access to the quality and timely care they deserve.

On Wednesday, the VA MISSION Act passed the Senate and is now headed to the President's desk for his signature. This bipartisan legislation creates the Veterans Community Care program, which will allow our veterans to receive hospital care, medical services, and extended care services in their community - ensuring they have a say and a choice in their care

Through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) current Choice Program, many veterans and non-VA health care providers experienced delays in having claims processed by the VA. I'm sure this comes as no surprise to many of our veterans across the nation, who have unfortunately seen firsthand how the inefficiencies that riddle the VA have hampered the quality of care they receive. 

You see, if the VA does not process a claim from a non-VA health care provider in a timely manner, the doctors office, clinic, or specialty provider does not receive compensation for the treatment provided. Not only is this a problem for providers, but it can risk a veteran’s access to quality health care.

Think about it - would you continue serving a customer who never pays their bill on time?

Bureaucracy should never get in the way of a veteran’s treatment. Through the VA MISSION Act we passed this week, community providers will be held accountable for filing claims with the VA within a specified time frame, but most importantly the VA will be required to act on these claims in a timely manner. 

There will also be incentives for the VA to address these claims, ensuring veterans are not left without an answer as to whether or not their health care will be covered.

I hereby present the current VA Choice Program with this month’s Squeal Award and applaud the passage of the VA MISSION Act for eliminating this inefficient and detrimental practice that affects our veterans’ care. 


Do you have an example of government waste or inefficiencies that I should take a look at? Send me an email by clicking here.

Thank you!