East PDX Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2023 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act, which is led by Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01). The bipartisan proposal authorizes several Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) construction projects, including for Portland VA Medical Center to build a new specialty care facility and make other site upgrades to improve accessibility and safety. The bill passed the U.S. Senate in March by unanimous consent and now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. It was led by Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). 

“This bipartisan legislation will ensure VA medical facilities across the country are able to provide more accessible, high-quality care to our veterans, including in the Portland area. I’m honored to lead this legislation in the House with Congresswoman Bonamici, and I’ll continue working to ensure those who have served our country receive the care and attention they deserve,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

“We have a responsibility to provide health care for veterans who served our country,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “This legislation will make overdue improvements to medical facilities for veterans, making it easier and safer for them to access the care they need. I look forward to seeing the benefits it brings – including safety improvements and the construction of a new specialty care facility – for veterans who get care at the Portland VA Medical Center.”

“Too many VA facilities are outdated and restrict VA’s ability to provide our veterans with the advanced, quality care they have earned. Which is why I want to thank my friend, Rep. Chavez-DeRemer, for leading the Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act this year. This bill is vitally important in continuing our efforts to modernize VA facilities across the country, including making specialty care upgrades and improving safety at the Portland VA Medical Center. In return, veterans will have access to the state-of-the-art VA they have earned,” said Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bost.

The Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) primary mission is to provide health care services to eligible veterans. In 2022, the VHA provided more than 115 million clinical encounters, with the VA serving over six million patients. This included roughly 40 million in-person appointments, more than 31 million telehealth and telephone appointments, and approximately 38 million community care appointments.

However, many VA facilities are outdated, which makes it difficult to provide the most advanced and best care for veterans. The Fiscal Year 2023 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act authorizes the VA to construct, renovate, or repair seven major medical facilities this fiscal year. Specifically, it authorizes $3.716 billion in previously appropriated funds to carry out these activities. 

In this legislation, the Portland VA is authorized $523 million for the construction of a new specialty care facility, seismic resilience upgrades, and other roadway, parking, and site improvements. The facility plans to house several outpatient clinics in the new specialty care building, including primary and mental health care and the women’s clinic.

Original source can be found here.