(U.S. Senate) – The U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed U.S. Senator Jon Tester’s bipartisan plan to give Montana veterans relief from the beleaguered VA Choice Program.

Tester worked with Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), veterans, Republicans, and Democrats to include his bipartisan Caring for Our Veterans Act in the House passed VA MISSION Act.

This legislation will scrap the Choice Program and replace it with a VA health care system that cuts red tape and works better for Montana veterans. 

“Montana veterans deserve better than the Choice Program,” said Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Our bipartisan bill delivers a better health care experience for veterans and cuts the bureaucracy that has plagued the system.  This legislation is proof that when Congress works together, we can get good things done for our nation.  I want to thank Chairman Isakson and the leadership of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee for getting this legislation to where it is today, and I look forward to seeing it move forward in the Senate.”  

Tester’s Caring for Our Veterans Act replaces the VA’s seven community care programs with an easier-to-use system and helps address workforce shortages at the VA. Under this legislation, a veteran and their VA doctor will decide where it makes the most sense for that veteran to receive care.  In addition, it includes landmark legislation that will extend critical VA caregiver benefits and assistance to veterans of all eras.   

Tester’s Caring for Our Veterans Act passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 347-70 as a part of the VA MISSION Act, which has garnered the support of 38 Veteran and Military Service Organizations.

The VA MISSION Act will now head to the Senate for final passage.