Bill

SB 1463

84(R) - 2015
Senate Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
Senate Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
Healthcare
Military
Veterans

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Eddie Lucio Jr.

Bill Caption

Relating to improving the delivery of health care services to veterans in this state.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

This legislation would amend Government Code to require the Office of the Governor to negotiate with certain federal agencies to improve health care services for veterans, including the establishment of a veteran's hospital in the Rio Grande Valley region and the prompt payment of claims submitted by community health care providers. The bill would further require the office of the governor and the University of Texas System to identify resources to be used in providing "quality health care in the Rio Grande Valley".

Vote Recommendation Notes

The federal government clearly needs to do a better job of upholding its obligation to our veterans. This bill aims to get better care at Veterans Administration hospitals and to encourage the establishment of a new Veterans Administration hospital in the Rio Grande Valley in conjunction with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley medical school. 

While we approve of the effort to hold the federal government accountable for veterans services, we are uncertain of the efficacy of establishing a new VA hospital before the existing hospitals get up to the standard that is expected of them. For this reason, we remain neutral on SB 1463.