Kirk Supports Increased Choice for Veterans and Greater VA Accountability

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) released the below statement  following the passsage of the bipartisan veterans’ bill, which allows for greater health care choices for veterans and more accountability within the VA. Senator Kirk is the ranking member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, and passed legislation through the committee earlier this month which restricts bonuses and gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs expedited authority to fire senior executives.

Today’s bill also authorizes a lease at the Edward J. Hines, Jr. VA facility which will improve Illinois veterans’ care.

“This bipartisan bill takes the necessary and important first step towards ensuring improved care for Illinois’ 700,000 veterans and ending a culture of corruption at the VA. Recently I have heard first-hand from local whistleblowers and physicians at the Hines VA in Maywood, Illinois, regarding secret wait lists and a culture of misconduct that rewards falsified records with a corrupt bonus structure. This legislation abolishes scheduling and wait-time metrics as factors for determining performance bonuses, much like my Fiscal Year 2015 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill does. This bill allows our nation’s heroes to see their own doctor if they are denied care within 14 days or live more than 40 miles from a VA facility, the “14-40” provision of the Senate Republican Bill. It also gives the Secretary the authority to fire the very senior executives who have established a culture of systemic corruption. I commend Senators McCain and Sanders on their work on this legislation, and I will continue to fight on behalf of our nation’s servicemen and women to ensure they receive the quality care they so rightfully deserve.”