Roger Williams: Veterans Choice Expansion a Step in Right Direction

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Roger Williams (R-Texas) today commended a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decision to expand eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program by changing its distance calculation to mileage veterans must drive to the nearest VA medical facility.

"This is a common sense solution that is certainly a step in the right direction for veterans living in rural Texas," said Williams. "I applaud this decision, but we need to continue to make sure we empower our veterans by no longer forcing them to travel long distances to seek care.

"Freedom to choose your doctor and your hospital must be a cornerstone of healthcare in our country. With the fifth year anniversary of Obamacare behind us, we must remember it is that lack of choice that is reason for its repeal."

After mounting criticism of eligibility requirements, Williams led an inquiry into why the distance eligibility formula for Veterans Choice was calculated by a direct line rather than driving mileage.

"Our veterans are mainly traveling to VA hospitals on our roadways, to calculate distance as the crow flies would only make sense if they were commuting by airplane, helicopter or hot air balloon," said Williams.

Veterans Choice, a provision of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act, was signed into law August 2014 to expand network coverage to veterans living in rural areas and reduce veterans' wait times resulting from a claims backlog brought to light in a scandal last year.

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