WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, issued this statement today following the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) admission that its computerized medical appointment system has failed to improve patient scheduling:

“President Obama’s reaffirmed commitment to securing timely and predictable funding for the veterans’ health care system is welcome news. VA operates the largest health care system in the nation, but its funding has been late 19 of the past 22 years. This is no way to operate a national system that has such a solemn duty. I look forward to working with President Obama, my colleagues in Congress, and veterans across America to make the hope of budget reform a reality,” said Akaka.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, introduced legislation today to create a permanent program to increase support for veterans' family caregivers. The bill is cosponsored by Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-NC), former Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), and Committee member Roland Burris (D-IL).

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, held a hearing today on two of President Barack Obama’s nominees for top VA leadership positions: W. Scott Gould to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs and L. Tammy Duckworth to be Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, introduced a bill today to improve care for veterans in rural and remote communities. The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Mark Begich (D-AK) and Max Baucus (D-MT).