Ernst Applauds Passage of VA MISSION Act

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) applauded the Senate’s passage of the VA MISSION Act, bipartisan legislation that improves veterans’ access to health care services:

“We can and we must do better for our veterans. Today, the Senate took a step in the right direction toward ensuring those who have sacrificed for our freedom have access to the quality and timely care they deserve.

“I am also proud to see my bipartisan VETS Act included in this legislation, which will finally allow our rural or homebound veterans in Iowa, and across the U.S., to receive necessary care from the comfort of their homes. Additionally, after concerning discoveries of improper hiring at the Iowa City VA, I filed an amendment that requires third-party clinical reviews of patient care by a health care provider that was hired illegally. This review is critical in determining if there was any malpractice, and ensuring that patient safety and peace of mind for our veterans is a top priority, as it should be. I plan to introduce this amendment as standalone legislation in coming weeks.

“As a veteran, I applaud this bipartisan effort to ensure those who defend our nation receive what they deserve: the care and respect they have earned.”

The bipartisan bill included Senator Ernst’s Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine (VETS) Act, which expands telehealth services available to veterans in rural and underserved areas.

Watch Senator Ernst remarks from the Senate floor in support of the VA MISSION Act here.