Dennis Ross Hopeful Robert McDonald Can Reform VA

With U.S. VA Secretary Robert McDonald touring Florida on Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., met with him and had kind words for the new VA secretary. McDonald took over the VA when Eric Shinseki resigned after reports of altered waiting lists at VA medical facilities across the nation.

I was relieved that McDonald was chosen to head the VA back in July, Ross said on Wednesday. McDonald and I are in accordance with creating a VA that works and will provide veterans with the greatest quality of care. McDonald insisted that the ignominious culture previously demonstrated within the VA will diminish. We will not turn a deaf ear to the entreaties of our veterans.

Ive personally created legislation called the Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act that would fix the VA medical wait time imbroglio, Ross added. My legislation would ensure veterans seeking primary and specialty care services from VA medical facilities will not have to wait longer than 30 days for an appointment. It is unconscionable that these same men and women who have put their lives on the line for our country often wait over three months for access to treatment.