Trump signs VA funding bill with $2.1B boost for Veterans Choice

President Donald Trump signed Veterans Affairs healthcare funding legislation Saturday, allocating $2.1 billion for the Veterans Choice Program.

The Veterans Choice Program allows veterans to receive private medical care outside of VA facilities, with the federal government footing the bill. VA Secretary David Shulkin, MD, has said the program would run out of money by mid-August without additional funding.

"Today is another milestone in our work to transform the VA," President Trump said, according to The Hill.

"This bill will ensure that veterans continue to have the ability to see a doctor of their choice, so important, and don't have to wait or travel long distances for care," he added. 

In addition to the Veterans Choice funding, the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 also "authorizes 28 major medical facilities leases, and changes a number of VA authorities related to personnel," according to the White House.

The Senate and House approved the $3.9 billion legislation earlier this summer.

 

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