House passes major veterans care act

The House on Monday passed a massive bill that will fund a range of veterans care services and increase opportunities for retired service members in the workforce and education.

The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, known as the Dole Act, passed on a bipartisan 389-9 vote.

The bill is a win for Republicans who have pointed to issues with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and have called to allow veterans to access more care at home.

Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said a big provision is that the VA will no longer “get to decide where veterans should get their health care.”