McCarthy Statement on House Passage of VA Appropriations to Reduce Backlog

Washington D.C. – Congressman Kevin McCarthy released the following statement on the passage of the Fiscal Year 2014 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (H.R. 2216):

"This bill ensures that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is equipped with the resources it needs to provide our veterans with the services and care they have earned from their selfless sacrifice and dedicated service to our nation. By specifically providing funding for the VA to implement a unified electronic health record system, paperless claims processing system, and digital scanning of health records, the VA is out of excuses for failing to tackle the appalling backlog and wait times at VA facilities across the country. The brave men and women who have risked their lives in our Armed Services deserve nothing less than a functioning, responsive health care and benefits system, and I will continue to hold VA officials accountable until our veterans see significant, tangible results."