Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Florida News

Florida Delegation: Time for Feds to Track Veterans Healthcare Complaints

Share this Story via Text Message, Facebook, X, Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo Mail

In recent days, four members of the Florida delegation–U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., Shelia Cherifulus-McCormick, D-Fla., Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., and Dan Webster–have thrown their support behind U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain’s, R-Mich., “Patient Advocate Tracker Act.”

The bill, which McClain introduced in October, “would create a tracking system for veteran complaints through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of the Patient Advocate for patients to easily access any updates to their filed paperwork.”

With the new backers, almost 100 members of the U.S. House have lined up behind the bill as co-sponsors. Other backers from Florida include U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., Bill Posey, R-Fla., and John Rutherford, R-Fla.

The bill cleared the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee last week and is now headed to the House floor.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to every individual who has served in the U.S. military. Improving VA accountability and transparency to ensure veterans are receiving the services that they have earned and need is one of my priorities,” said Webster. “The Patient Advocate Tracker Act is a step in the right direction by simplifying and giving veterans access to the tracking system when they have a complaint.”

The bill would “require the Department of Veterans Affairs to create an electronic system for veterans to submit complaints regarding healthcare services they receive” and the “system would allow a veteran to file a complaint electronically with the patient advocate and view the status of the complaint, including interim and final actions that have been taken.”

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Student Veterans of America, Military Veterans Advocacy and Fleet Reserve Association are behind the proposal.

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., introduced the companion bill in the U.S. Senate with the support of U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.

Author

  • Originally from Jacksonville, Kevin Derby is a contributing writer for Florida Daily and covers politics across Florida.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

<

Ed Dean: Publisher

 

Ed Dean is a leading radio and news media personality including hosting the #1 statewide radio talk show in Florida. Contact Ed.Dean@FloridaDaily.com

You May Also Like

Business

Share this Story via Text Message, Facebook, X, Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo MailAfter COVID, business groups around the state wanted Florida lawmakers to help...

Health Care

Share this Story via Text Message, Facebook, X, Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo MailBelow is an official statement from U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin (R-Fla). Rep....

Immigration

Share this Story via Text Message, Facebook, X, Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo MailLast week, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., joined “Hannity With Guest Host...

Energy

Share this Story via Text Message, Facebook, X, Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo MailLast week, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla. helped bring back two bills...

Follow us on Social Media