VA program gets necessary changes
SEN. MIKE CRAPO | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 years, 6 months AGO
In March, I wrote about working with Idaho veterans to press for needed changes to the Veterans Choice program to ensure that Idaho veterans can access the services they so greatly deserve.
Thankfully, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently made needed changes to its policy regarding private health care access for veterans that means more veterans can get health care closer to home without traveling distances to VA care facilities.
The Veterans Choice Program offers the alternative of care in a private medical facility if veterans live 40 miles or more from the closest VA medical center, clinic or facility. However, the VA’s original implementation of this program left many veterans unable to access the program’s benefits due to the VA measuring 40 miles “as the crow flies” rather than by driving distance. This was discriminatory for many veterans, including many in Idaho. Given our mountainous terrain, distances traveled by car can be far greater than simple air miles.
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A typical family of four will get a $2,059 tax cut. Lower-middle and middle income families can save time and money on tax preparation due to the near doubling of the standard deduction and other simplifications. According to more than 100 economists, “economic growth will accelerate” under the tax relief legislation passed by Congress, which will give Americans access to higher wages, greater job opportunities and a more vibrant economy. There is no need to take our word for all of this; just look at your W-2 paycheck starting in February and you will see more take home pay. We were proud to support these and more reforms for all Idahoans: