The $52 billion measure that would give veterans greater access to private healthcare and that includes a one-year extension of the VA's Choice program cleared the Senate May 23 and awaits President Donald Trump’s signature, The Hill reports.
The Senate approved the Mission Act 92-5, with Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., and Bob Corker, R-Tenn., voting against it.
The Veteran’s Choice program allows eligible veterans to receive medical care from a community provider rather than wait for a VA appointment or travel to a VA facility.
"[This is] the last piece of a great mosaic to reform the veterans benefits for our veterans to make them contemporary with the 21st century and see to it that the best care, the best attention and the best legislation is in place," said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., according to The Hill.