Rounds Statement on Meeting with Dr. David Shulkin
Shulkin Nominated to be Veterans Affairs Secretary
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today made the following statement after his meeting with Dr. David Shulkin, whom President Trump has nominated to be Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“I thank Dr. Shulkin for meeting with me to discuss our shared goals of fixing the systemic problems facing the VA and making our veterans the top priority,” said Rounds. “During our meeting, we discussed the future of the VA health care facility in Hot Springs and the Choice Program, which is set to expire in August 2017. Additionally, I urged the VA, under his leadership, to comply with the Emergency Care Fairness Act (ECFA) based on the clear intent expressed by Congress and the court system. Since the ECFA was enacted in 2010, the VA has failed in its legal obligation to cover the emergency room bills of hundreds of thousands of veterans.”
"It’s clear that Dr. Shulkin understands the problems within the VA and truly cares about our nation’s veterans. I look forward to working closely with him to improve the lives of all veterans, should he be confirmed.”
Rounds is a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over Dr. Shulkin’s confirmation. His confirmation hearing has not yet been scheduled.
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