Hello John,

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Last week, I testified before Congress on the future of veterans’ health care and why access, choice, and accountability are achievable through empowering legislation like the Veterans’ ACCESS Act.

I’ve served in uniform, and I have relied on VA care.

And time after time, I’ve witnessed the same truth: Access delayed is care denied.

Instead of waiting through delays and denials, veterans want timely community care options.

As I explained in the hearing, “Community care now accounts for about 40% of overall VA health care, and that’s growing.”

Veterans are choosing alternative care because it works.

Why it matters: Veterans are still waiting too long.

According to the VA’s own findings, new patients sometimes have onerous wait times. I highlighted to Congress that last week alone, the VA Medical Center here in Washington had average wait times of:

• 62 days for dental care
• 66 days for OB-GYN treatment
• 56 days for oncologist appointments

Mental health visit wait times often stretched to weeks in cities like Phoenix and Los Angeles.

For someone seeking mental health treatment, wait times like this can be life-threatening.

Our heroes shouldn’t have to endure that.

That’s why I told Congress plainly: “At all times, veterans should have the choice of seeking care either at a VA facility or a community care provider, depending on which best meets their needs.”

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The Veterans’ ACCESS Act would lock in community care standards, prevent eligibility rules from being rewritten, and solidify wait-time standards.

This is about dignity, agency, and access for Americans who sacrificed for the rest of us.

I gave Congress the hard truth. Now I’m asking you to do your part, too.

🎥 Dive deeper and watch what I told Congress.

🗣️Take 30 seconds and speak up for veterans: Tell Congress to support the Veterans’ ACCESS Act.