Mobile Courant

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has joined U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) in urging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough to reassess recent actions that have significantly reduced VA referrals to community care. This request comes as part of a letter addressing concerns over the impact on veterans' access to necessary medical services.

The letter highlights that since the 2018 passage of the MISSION Act, which replaced the Veterans Choice Program with the Veterans Community Care Program, there have been notable improvements in veterans' healthcare access and quality. "Among the Red Team’s recommendations are suggestions that VA save money by reducing community care referrals for veterans seeking emergency, oncology, and mental health care," wrote Tuberville and Moran. "Veterans in need of these services are among the most vulnerable and high-risk. It is unconscionable that VA would consider leaving them with fewer options to seek needed care."

The senators also raised concerns about reports from veterans, their families, and whistleblowers within VA facilities indicating dangerous administrative practices potentially aligned with the Red Team's recommendations. They cited a specific case where a veteran's community care authorization was canceled just two treatments short of completing chemotherapy.

The letter was co-signed by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), John Boozman (R-AR), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Thune (R-SD), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ted Budd (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and James Lankford (R-OK).

Senator Tuberville has been an advocate for veterans' healthcare through his role on the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, representing Alabama's more than 400,000 veterans. He has introduced multiple pieces of legislation aimed at expanding healthcare options for veterans and improving care quality at VA facilities.

In addition to his work on healthcare, Tuberville has introduced legislation such as the No VA Resources for Illegal Aliens Act to ensure VA resources are allocated exclusively for veterans.

For further information or full text of the letter, interested parties can refer to official channels.