The long anticipated draft bill to allow more flexibility for the VA in determining veterans' eligibility for private-sector care is headed to the full House Veterans' Affairs Committee for markup at a 10 a.m. (EDT) hearing on Tuesday morning, May 8. The bill also includes provisions to expand VA comprehensive caregiver support to veterans prior to Sept. 11, 2001, and to assess VA facilities and infrastructure needs and assets

MOAA and 37 other veteran groups sent a joint letter to the leadership in both the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees in support of the bill.

“It's been a long road of perseverance these last two years with veterans groups working closely with the administration, VA leadership and lawmakers to reach this monumental moment,” said MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, (USAF RET). “It is our hope the leadership in the House and Senate passes this critical measure so it can be signed into law before the end of the fiscal year to continue the progress made over these many months to improve and strengthen VA's health system."