WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement on today’s passage of the bipartisan VA health care bill:

Passage of the bipartisan VA health care bill – legislation I’m proud to cosponsor – is a good first step at cracking down on fraud at the VA and reducing excessive and unacceptable wait times for veterans. This legislation will help get veterans the treatment they need and deserve by allowing them the flexibility to receive outside medical care when the VA is unable to provide prompt treatment, and giving the VA the tools to crack down on department officials who perpetuate and encourage fraud. I’m especially pleased that the legislation will provide over $4.8 million in new funding to Connecticut’s Errera Community Care Center in West Haven – something I’ve pushed for for years. This center has had its hands tied because it hasn’t received adequate federal funding in the past. But with this new funding, it will be able to better serve Connecticut’s veterans and get them the medical attention they need.

While Senate passage today puts the VA on the right path, more needs to be done. Congress and new leadership at the VA need to put a laser-like focus on addressing the VA backlog and veterans homelessness – two crises that continue to persist in Connecticut and across the country. I’ll keep pushing the VA to addresses these issues and urge my colleagues to do the same.