Obama Signs VA Reforms Into Law

On Thursday, President Barack Obama signed into law a proposal from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla. -- the chairmen of their respective chambers' Veterans Affairs Committee, reforming the U.S. Veterans Affairs department -- sending $17 billion to help its medical facilities.

The new funds, which will be used over the next three years, come in the aftermath of reports across the nation detailing altered wait lists at VA facilities. As a result, Eric Shinseki resigned his post as VA secretary back in May. The agreement designates $10 billion for veterans to seek private care if dealing with extended waits at VA medical centers. Veterans who live more than 40 miles from a VA medical center will also be eligible for private care. The agreement also designates $5 billion to add more medical personnel to VA centers.

I am pleased President Obama has finally recognized what we have been telling administration officials for years: that VAs widespread and systemic lack of accountability is jeopardizing the health of veterans and contributing to all of the departments most pressing problems, Miller said on Thursday.

Miller did not attend the bill signing since he was touring a VA medical center in El Paso, Texas.

I sincerely hope the president views this event as more than just a photo-op or speaking engagement, Miller said. Instead, it should serve as a wake-up call. VAs problems festered because administration officials ignored or denied the departments challenges at every turn. In order to prevent history from repeating itself, President Obama must become personally involved in solving VAs many problems. A good place for him to start would be to meet with family members and veterans who have been struck by the VA scandal, order the department to cooperate with the congressional committees investigating VA and force DoD and VA to work together to establish a joint electronic health record integrated across all DoD and VA components.