[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 38 (Friday, March 6, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E314-E315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  H.R. 280 AND H.R. 294, REFORMS TO IMPROVE THE CARE FOR VETERANS WHO 
                 HAVE SACRIFICED SO MUCH FOR OUR NATION

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 6, 2015

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, March 2, due to inclement 
weather I was unable to vote on H.R. 280 `Authorizing Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to Recoup Bonuses and Awards' and H.R. 294 the `Long-
Term Care Veterans Choice Act'. If I had been present I would have 
voted ``yes'' on the passage of both bills as these reforms would serve 
to improve the care of our Veterans who have sacrificed so much for our 
nation. These bills respectively improve the ability of the Veterans 
Administration to provide for the well being of those who have given so 
much for this nation, and expand the power of that Department to hold 
its employees accountable when they fall short of upholding that sacred 
duty.
  Over the past year, the Department of Veterans Affairs has received 
scrutiny on issues that affect the care and benefits of our Veterans. 
Congress has taken action, along with the Department's Office of the 
Inspector General to investigate these wrongdoings. One finding of 
these investigations was the despicable act of manipulating the 
Department's appointment system to hide evidence of increased wait 
times for medical appointments, and the doctoring of medical records to 
the same effect.
  I believe these acts are despicable and the Department of Veterans 
Affairs must be held accountable. Veterans Affairs employees are placed 
in positions of special trust and confidence and are charged with the 
sacred duty of caring for those who have sacrificed for the security of 
this nation. This bill, H.R. 280, provides the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs more authority to hold accountable those employees who break 
faith with this obligation. While employees would be afforded due 
process prior to being fined for misconduct, the Secretary's decision 
would be final and could not be appealed to any other agency or court. 
No system is perfect and no person is perfect. But the American people 
entrust the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with the responsibility of 
caring for our Veterans--which is why it is critical to empower that 
Department's leaders with the authority to hold their employees 
accountable for their actions.
  My District in Jacksonville, Florida is one of the most popular 
retirement locations for Veterans. So this bill, H.R. 294 the `Long-
Term Care Veterans Choice Act', hits very close to home. As our 
Veterans enter the twilight of their lives, they often find themselves 
needing

[[Page E315]]

increased daily care, which the Department of Veterans Affairs is 
required by law to provide. This care is given by way of veterans 
nursing homes, which are currently the only institutions capable of 
fulfilling the Department's obligation to provide such services. 
However, this ``one size fits all'' method of caring for our Veterans 
is not always the most appropriate for their condition or medical 
situation.
  H.R. 294 corrects this situation by authorizing the Department of 
Veterans Affairs to fund Medical Foster Home care for Veterans whose 
situation is conducive to receiving long term care in a non-
institutional setting. Medical Foster Care provides actual homes for 
Veterans and families willing to accept the challenge of caring for 
them. Many of these families are themselves retired service members, 
nurses, and doctors that are able to garner a little extra money and a 
purpose for getting out of bed every day. There is no downside to this 
bill. It provides a choice for our Veterans to receive the kind of care 
they want and deserve in a fiscally responsible manner. I can't think 
of a better way to honor their service and sacrifice.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, had I been present for these votes, I would 
have placed my full support behind their passage.

                          ____________________