[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E33]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  APPROVING REQUEST OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR WAIVER UNDER 
            SECTION 1703E(f) OF TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 13, 2020

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as a senior Member of Congress, I 
rise in support of H.J. Res. 80, which requires the approval of the 
request of the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs for a waiver under 
section 1703E(f) of 38 U.S.C., which provides for the Veterans' 
Community Care Program.
  As a strong proponent of veteran care, I support this resolution 
because our veterans deserve to receive the maximum quality of hospital 
care, medical services and extended care services.
  This resolution will improve the quality of dental care granted to 
our veterans by allowing them a more diverse group of dental providers 
to choose from, at affordable rates.
  There are a total of 9.1 million enrollees in the Veterans' Affairs 
Health Care system.
  This resolution gives veterans the opportunity to use Veterans' 
Affairs administrative support to search for non-VA, pro bono or 
discounted dental services.
  Over 580,000 Veterans with comprehensive dental care benefits were 
provided dental care in Fiscal Year 2019.
  Veterans identified as Class I, those with a service-connected 
compensable dental disability or condition, are eligible for any dental 
care needed.
  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has created a new community 
care program that allows veterans more choice in health care providers.
  These revolutionary modifications will extend services to over 28,000 
veterans within the 18th Congressional District.
  The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston provides a full 
range of health care services that include trauma recovery, mental 
health, and substance dependence programs to veterans.
  Waiving section 1703E(f) of 38 U.S.C., United States allows the 
Veterans Community Care Program to keep the methods that are used for 
veteran medical services as up to date as possible and to ensure that 
veterans have access to dental care when needed.
  I ask my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to vote in support 
of H.J. Res. 80.

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