Rep. Mark Takano Provision Included in Conference Committee Legislation

Washington, DC – Veterans’ Affairs Conference Committee Member Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after it was announced that the final legislation would include a provision championed by Takano:

 

“Yesterday’s announcement was a good step forward in increasing access to treatment for our veterans. As the final language was released late last night, I was pleased to see that the deal includes one important item that I recommended to the committee – an increase in medical residency slots, which will address the shortage of physicians at our VA facilities. With the majority of residency slots being frozen since 1996, this provision will address the physician shortage across the country and in the Inland Empire. 

 

“We know that this shortage has played a large part in the long wait times our veterans are forced to endure and this provision, based on a stand-alone piece of legislation in the House with my colleagues Rep. Dina Titus and Rep. Beto O’Rourke, will increase access and address one of the long term issues facing our heroes.”