Congressman Ruiz urges passage of VA bill

Congressman Raul Ruiz(D) is urging congress to pass the Veterans Access to Care Act.

Monday, the government released more information from an audit, showing the wait times at Veterans Affairs hospitals around the country. The wait times to see a doctor at Loma Linda, the closest hospital to the Coachella Valley, were about 44 days.

The findings are part of a national audit ordered after a whistle blower claimed veterans were dying while waiting for care in Phoenix.

The bi-partisan Veterans Access to Care Act would make it easier for veterans to get care outside the VA system, if they’ve been subjected to long wait times.

Congress is expected to vote on the bill Tuesday.