releases: https://tipton.house.gov/media/press-releases/tipton-introduces-legislation-enhance-veteran-care-and-reduce-wait-times
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://tipton.house.gov/media/press-releases/tipton-introduces-legislation-enhance-veteran-care-and-reduce-wait-times | Tipton Introduces Legislation to Enhance Veteran Care and Reduce Wait Times | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | CO | Scott Tipton | T000470 | tipton.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON D.C. This week, Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03) introduced the Veterans Improved Access and Care Act of 2017 (H.R. 4642), which would expand access to medical care for American veterans and take measures to reduce wait times. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) is leading the companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. A report by the Denver Post states that the average wait time at the Eastern Colorado Healthcare System (ECHS) is eleven days. However, of all the appointments at the ECHS, 13.5 percent had a wait time that was longer than thirty days, which was considered among the worst in the nation. H.R. 4642 would help remedy this issue by eliminating the arbitrary 30-day, 40-mile eligibility rule, allowing veterans full access to private and local medical care regardless of situation or location. This legislation would also allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a pilot program to accelerate the staffing of licensed medical professionals in areas where there are shortages of specialists. Additionally, it would require the Secretary of the VA to submit a report specifying a strategy on how to reduce the VAs hiring process for licensed medical professionals by half. The service and sacrifice of our nations veterans makes them more than deserving of quality healthcare, said Tipton. It has been disheartening to hear stories of veterans who are still forced to wait for days to see a physician and have been prevented from receiving the care they have earned. Veterans should have the opportunity to access either the VA or a community medical facility of his/her choosing, regardless of their situation. I am proud to lead legislation will make great strides in eliminating many of the barriers that veterans face when trying to receive medical care, and I thank my colleague, Senator Gardner, for leading this legislation in the Senate. Our veterans, who have given so much to our country, should have access to the best possible care in a timely manner,said Gardner. Colorado veterans have been put on secret wait lists and denied access to care they have earned. This is unacceptable and it must change. This legislation led by Congressman Tipton and I will expand the CHOICE program and allow veterans to see the doctor they choose and not be hamstrung by the VA bureaucracy. In order to reduce wait times and provide timely care to our veterans, we must address the root of the problem at many VA facilities in Colorado and across the country: staffing shortages. When it comes to the VA hiring medical professionals we cannot let government bureaucracy and red tape stand in the way. The VA Secretary needs to take meaningful action to reform the hiring process and make sure facilities are able to hire the medical professionals needed to serve our veterans. Its time we put partisan politics aside and deliver on our promise to our veterans. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |