Press Releases

Today, Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after the House passed The Veterans Choice Program Improvement Act, the Senate companion to his bill to eliminate the sunset date of the Choice program:  “By eliminating the sunset date of the Choice Act, Congress is ensuring veterans have certainty and continuity of care while we work with the Trump… Read more »

Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, chaired by Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.), held a hearing to assess ongoing concerns regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs Crisis Line (VCL). Below are Chairman Roe’s opening remarks from today’s hearing: Opening Remarks As Prepared for Delivery: We are here today to discuss a topic that is a top priority for me, for this… Read more »

Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) unveiled a new website to provide updates and information on the important work of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Chairman Roe released the following statement:   "Having a mobile-enabled, easy-to-navigate website is critical to communicate the committee’s work to the American people. As we… Read more »

Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced the Veterans Affairs Medical Scribe Pilot Act of 2017, legislation to create a two-year medical scribes pilot program within VA. Chairman Roe released the following statement on the legislation:   “Over the last three years since the VA waitlist scandal broke, we’ve looked at… Read more »

Today, Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after VA Secretary David Shulkin announced the delayed firing of a VA employee in Houston who was caught watching pornography while treating a veteran patient: "The time for talking about accountability is over. This situation underscores the need for Congress to get VA accountability legislation to President… Read more »

Subcommittee on Health Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) introduced legislation to prohibit smoking in any Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility. Under this legislation, smoking would be banned inside VHA facilities immediately and outside VHA facilities within five years. “Exposure to secondhand smoke puts veteran patients at unnecessary risk. This common sense reform mitigates… Read more »

Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement in response to the newly released Office of Inspector General (OIG) report revealing continued failures of the Veterans Crisis Line: "It's unacceptable that the issues with the Veterans Crisis Line have still not been addressed, and I hope Secretary Shulkin will take immediate… Read more »

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1367, legislation to improve VA’s ability to recruit and retain high-quality health care providers and other professionals: “Providing the top-notch health care and benefits our nation’s veterans deserve is impossible without a strong… Read more »

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act: “I strongly believe we must do everything in our power to protect the rights guaranteed to all Americans, especially the men and women who have served, by the Constitution. The Veterans 2nd Amendment… Read more »

Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the VA Accountability First Act of 2017 with bipartisan support: “The VA Accountability First Act will provide Secretary Shulkin the tools he needs to swiftly discipline employees who fail in their mission to provide world-class health… Read more »