Congress on track to OK expanded private care at troubled VA
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is set to deliver a victory to President Donald Trump by expanding private care for veterans as an alternative to the troubled Veterans Affairs health system, despite concerns from some Democrats that this will prove too costly.
The Senate is expected to approve a wide-ranging bill Wednesday that would allow veterans to see private doctors when they do not receive the treatment they expected, with the approval of a VA health provider. Veterans could access private care when they endure lengthy wait times or VA medical centers do not offer the services they need.
The measure also would avert a devastating shutdown of the VA's troubled Choice private-sector program.