Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement upon voting for legislation to make needed changes to our veterans’ healthcare system:

“I’m pleased that Congress was able to pass, in a bipartisan manner, needed legislation to begin fixing our badly broken VA system. In response to shocking reports of VA employees failing to do their jobs while our nation’s heroes waited for care, Congress united to pass needed reforms. One critical change in law allows veterans to receive care from private doctors if they live more than 40 miles away from a VA facility, or if agency doctors cannot see them within 30 days. Importantly, the bill also grants the VA Secretary power to fire employees who fail to perform their duties. I believe this legislation is an important step toward keeping our promises to veterans, who have already given so much for our country.”

The final legislation, a compromise reached between the Senate and the House of Representatives, provides funding to hire more doctors, nurses, and medical staff. It authorizes funding for leases to use medical facilities at 27 existing sites around the country, including an outpatient clinic in Lincoln.