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Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) released the following statement after President Trump signed the VA MISSION Act into law to improve access to health care for veterans and streamline a number of veteran programs.

“We owe it to our veterans to ensure that the promises made to them are kept,” said Latta. “The current VA Choice program is too difficult and cumbersome for many veterans to use. I've worked to expand access to cancer treatment for veterans in Ohio's 5th Congressional District because of rigid requirements under VA Choice, and the signing of the VA MISSION Act will help solve this problem.

“By allowing more flexibility in the way the program is administered, many veterans will be able to seek care closer to home. In addition, the bill levels the playing field for pre- and post-9/11 veteran caregivers and streamlines a number of VA programs.

“The VA MISSION Act makes the necessary reforms to programs that support our veterans, and it is supported by every major veterans service organization. I applaud President Trump signing this legislation into law this afternoon.”

Latta had previously authored the Veterans Cancer Treatment Flexibility Act to provide increased access to cancer treatment for veterans in his district. A number of veterans in the district have to travel to the Toledo VA before being bussed to Ann Arbor for cancer treatment. The VA MISSION Act will help solve this problem by providing more flexibility to the VA regarding the VA Choice program that will allow veterans to seek care closer to where they live.

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