“We must guarantee the veterans of Eastern North Carolina first rate medical assistance that is accessible and close to home,” Representative Jones stated. “Too many times, quality health care has been compromised because of lack of medical professionals and limited access to veterans’ treatment centers and hospitals.”

Congressman Jones co-sponsored the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Act of 2000 to improve the pay system for VA nurses and to ensure a national comparability pay increase for those nurses each year.  This bill calls for the VA to assist in payments at private hospitals that are more conveniently located so that patients do not have to travel great distances to receive professional health care.  H.R. 5109 also extends a voluntary retirement incentive program to VA employees and would make it easier to establish outpatient clinics at state veterans’ homes.

“Our veterans served this nation when we needed them the most,” Jones said. “As such, we should always look for innovative ways to improve the level of care they receive and reward those who care for them. This bill would do just that.”

H.R. 5109 was passed by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and awaits further action on the House floor.