WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is supporting a bill to provide veterans with more choices and flexibility when making decisions about their health care.

“The recently revealed tragedies involving Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) warrant immediate action,” Wicker said. “Veterans deserve better care and more control over their own health-care decisions. This legislation would hold the VA system accountable while giving veterans an alternative to bypass long waiting times.”

The “Veterans Choice Act of 2014,” authored by Senators John McCain, R-Ariz., Tom Coburn, R-Okla., Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., would give veterans the ability to choose a doctor outside the VA system if they experience long wait times or live more than 40 miles from a VAMC.

“Many Mississippi veterans live in areas far from a VA hospital,” Wicker said. “The ‘Choice Act’ would enable them to receive quality medical treatment in a timely manner regardless of where they live.”

Other key provisions of the “Choice Act” include:

• Veterans enrolled in VA medical care would receive a Choice card for care from non-VA providers;

• Performance metrics for senior leadership at VAMCs would be reformed;

• Patient quality and outcome information from VAMCs would be reported directly to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services;

• Wait times for an appointment would be posted on each VAMC website;

• The VA would be directed to establish disciplinary procedures should an employee falsify data; and

• The VA Secretary would be given the authority to demote or fire Senior Executive Service employees based on performance.

The bill is endorsed by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, American Legion, AMVETS, and Concerned Veterans for America.