WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) released the following statement regarding their support for the bipartisan VA Maintaining Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act today:

“There are over 9 million veterans enrolled in the VA health care system who deserve access to world-class medical care. We need to keep our promises to these veterans and their families, which is why we supported the VA MISSION Act today. Like most major pieces of legislation, it still contains some challenges, but the VA MISSION Act makes some significant improvements. It provides key support to the caregivers of veterans who were not covered previously. It also extends the VA Choice Act, which will continue to allow veterans in underserved locations to have better access to basic medical care. While we have some concerns with the inclusion of the VA Asset and Infrastructure Review Act provisions, we are confident that with rigorous oversight by Congress, this measure will ensure that the VA Facilities and the people who work tirelessly to support our veterans at the VA will be protected.”

The VA MISSION Act would provide funding to the Veterans Choice program and would make significant improvements to simplify and streamline the current program. Additionally, this legislation will expand coverage to veterans’ caregivers, to include WW II, Korea, and Vietnam era veterans. The VA MISSION Act will help ensure that all veterans have access to care and that VA has the staff and resources it needs to provide them with this care.