Bill to Reform Veterans Choice Act Receives First Hearing

Senator Steve Daines’ legislation to improve health care services for America’s veterans today received its first legislative hearing in the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Daines’ bill, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 makes major changes to the Veterans Choice Program, which was created in 2014 to allow veterans to get needed health care outside of the VA system, and creates a permanent program with advance funding. Additionally, the Express Appeal Act of 2016, cosponsored by Daines, received a legislative hearing in the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs committee today. The Express Appeals Act creates a voluntary, five-year, pilot program that allows a new avenue for veterans to file an express appeal with the Board of Veterans appeals if they receive a negative decision from an original claim and is widely supported by veterans organizations.