WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today voted to pass the John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act. The bipartisan legislation includes significant reforms to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) current health care delivery system, providing veterans with more choice and fewer barriers to care. It passed the Senate by a vote of 92 to 5.

Among the provisions included in the VA MISSION Act is the Andrew White Veterans Community Care Opioid Safety Act, a bipartisan bill Senator Capito introduced last November with Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). The measure would strengthen opioid therapy safety and pain care through VA community care programs, including the VA Choice program. Senator Capito named the legislation in honor of West Virginian Andrew White, a Marine who was overprescribed a strong antipsychotic drug after returning home from Iraq and died tragically in his sleep at the age of 23. The legislation builds on the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act (Jason’s Law)—another bill Senators Capito and Baldwin introduced and Congress passed to strengthen the VA’s opioid prescribing guidelines, put in place stronger oversight and accountability, and provide safer and more effective pain management services for our nation’s veterans.

“Our veterans selflessly risk their lives to protect our way of life and defend our freedoms, and we owe it to these men and women to make sure they receive the top-notch care they deserve,” Senator Capito said. “I was proud to vote for this legislation today that will help deliver this quality care and make the most significant reforms to improve the VA’s current health care system to date. I was also glad I was able to secure a provision I introduced in honor of West Virginian Andrew White that will strengthen opioid therapy safety and pain care. This provision, coupled with many others included in the bill, will ensure our veterans care includes more choice and fewer barriers.”

The VA MISSION Act would: 

  • Consolidate the VA’s seven community care programs into one streamlined program.
  • Improve existing VA health care delivery and services.
  • Expand eligibility for the VA’s Caregiver Program to veterans of all generations.

A one pager on the bill can be found here.

The short bill summary can be found here.

The VA MISSION Act has received broad support from 38 leading military and veterans groups that represent millions of veterans in the United States. The bill is also supported by President Donald J. Trump and Acting Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie.

Groups supporting the legislation include: Air Force Association (AFA), Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), Air Force Women Officers Associated (AFWOA), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), America’s Warrior Partnership, The American Legion, AMSUS, The Society of Federal Health Professionals, AMVETS (American Veterans), Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA), Association of the US Navy (AUSN), Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), Code of Support Foundation (COSF), Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Services Inc. (COA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF), Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the US (EANGUS), Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), Gold Star Wives of America (GSW), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Jewish War Veterans (JWV), Marine Corps League (MCL), Marine Corps Reserve Association (MCRA), Military Chaplains Association (MCA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), National Military Family Association (NMFA), Naval Enlisted Reserve Association (NERA), Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) of the USA, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Reserve Officers Association (ROA), Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA), USCG Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

A letter of support from these groups is available here. 

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