Ossoff introduces bill to reduce VA wait times

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is introducing a bipartisan bill to reduce VA wait times.

The bipartisan SCHEDULES Act, which Ossoff, D-Ga., introduced this week with Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., would require the VA to establish a time standard between medical referrals and appointment times at VA hospitals and community care centers.

The bill would require the VA to submit both a quarterly and annual report to document their success or failure in meeting the established time standards and would also publicly rank VA Medical Centers on how well each facility met standards.

“Georgia veterans are still having to wait way too long to get health care through the VA,” Ossoff said. “This bipartisan bill will help hold the VA accountable to meet clear and transparent targets for reduced wait times.”

Congressman Scott Franklin, R-Fla., introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bipartisan bill is endorsed by the Blinded Veterans Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Disabled American Veterans.

Ossoff continues to advocate on behalf of Georgia’s veterans and their families. In December, his and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.’s, bipartisan Military Families Mental Health Services Act to help more military families access vital mental health care services became law as part of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.

In October, Ossoff launched an inquiry with the VA into excessive delays with the VA Board of Veterans Appeals, which decides whether or not veterans are entitled to claimed veterans’ benefits and services.

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