NAVR Applauds Congressional Action to Uphold and Protect Veteran Healthcare Choice with the Veterans’ ACCESS Act

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Association for Veteran Rights (NAVR) applauds Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jerry Moran and House Committee on Veterans Affairs Chairman Mike Bost for their leadership in introducing the Veterans’ ACCESS Act.—a pivotal bill designed to strengthen Veteran choice and hold the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accountable for fully implementing the MISSION Act.

The VA MISSION Act of 2018, signed into law by President Trump, was designed to give Veterans greater choice and flexibility in their healthcare decisions. However, in recent years, the VA has systematically restricted access to community care, resulting in delayed treatment, excessive travel burdens, and unnecessary suffering for many Veterans in need of care. The Veterans’ ACCESS Act ensures that the original intent of the MISSION Act is upheld, empowering Veterans with healthcare options.

“Chairman Moran and Chairman Bost have taken a crucial step in reaffirming that Veterans deserve timely, high-quality care, whether at the VA or through community providers,” said Peter O’Rourke, President of NAVR and former Acting Secretary and Chief of Staff of the VA, who played a key role in implementing the MISSION Act. “Veterans should never be forced to wait months for care or have to travel hundreds of miles when qualified providers are available closer to home. The Veterans’ ACCESS Act will ensure the VA upholds its responsibility to put Veterans first.”

The Veterans’ ACCESS Act will:

• Reinforce community care access standards, ensuring Veterans can receive care when VA delays or travel distances are excessive.
• Increase oversight and accountability to prevent VA leadership from undermining the MISSION Act.
• Expand Veteran healthcare options, giving them the flexibility to choose the best care for their needs.

NAVR urges swift Congressional action on this bill to ensure that Veterans are no longer denied access to the care they have earned.

About NAVR:

The National Association for Veteran Rights (NAVR) is a national trade association committed to promoting ethical and transparent business practices among companies engaging with the service-disabled Veteran community. NAVR advocates for businesses that empower Veterans with professional and transparent solutions while advancing support for Veteran-owned businesses.