Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) is working across party lines to help veterans get better medical care. He's teaming up with Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV), to introduce a bill that would give lawmakers better information about how VA hospitals are performing.
The VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act is designed to help Congress identify which VA medical centers are doing well and which need help. Right now, it's hard for lawmakers to know exactly what problems exist at different VA facilities across the country.
"I am proud to say that my district is home to Luke Air Force Base and well over 50,000 veterans," Hamadeh expressed. The new bill would let him and other members of Congress "better assess the strengths and weaknesses of VA medical facilities" so they can take action to improve care.
For Congresswoman Lee, helping veterans is a top priority. "My office has been instrumental in ensuring that veterans receive the utmost care in a timely manner," she expressed. "This bipartisan bill will increase transparency in the management and operation of the VA by giving policymakers the information they need."
Continued Effort
The bill isn't entirely new; previous versions were introduced by Hamadeh's predecessor, Debbie Lesko, with support from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. However, Hamadeh added an important update informing the law would expire after three years, forcing Congress to evaluate whether it's actually working before renewing it.
Additionally, this isn't Hamadeh's first win for veterans. Earlier this year, the House unanimously passed two of his bills. One makes it easier for veterans to get scholarships for science and healthcare degrees. The other helps ensure that doctors training to work at VA hospitals are hired quickly after completing their education, addressing serious staffing shortages.
For the 50,000+ veterans in Hamadeh's Arizona district, these efforts could mean better access to medical care and education opportunities they've earned through their service.
“It’s my honor to introduce the VA Medical Center Transparency Act, which should elevate the quality-of-care veterans receive, with my colleague Congresswoman Susie Lee,” Hamadeh concluded.
