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Amata and Congress make Veterans' Choice Act permanent

Congresswoman Amata with Chairman Roe and Vice-Chairman Bilirakis in the HVAC Hearing Room.  [Courtesy photo]
Source: Media release, office of Congresswoman Aumua Amata

Washington, DC — President Trump signed S. 544 into law Wednesday, which eliminates the termination date for the successful Veteran’s Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014.

“I was proud to support the House version of this bill, when it passed through the House Veterans Affairs Committee markup.  It is essential that our veterans have access to the treatments they need, and this bill will ensure that.  Our veterans in American Samoa still need better access here locally, but this will allow them to continue to see private physicians in Honolulu if the VA cannot provide the care they need at Tripler Army Medical Center,” continued the Congresswoman.

Specifically, S. 544 eliminates the termination date for the Choice Act, while also making the VA the primary payer for medical care for non-service connected disabilities.

“I want to thank President Trump and my colleagues in both the House and the Senate for making make Veteran’s health issues a top priority, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to improve the access and quality of care our veterans receive here in American Samoa,” concluded Amata.