Bill Led by Bonamici, Chavez-DeRemer to Help Upgrade Portland VA Medical Center Signed into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, President Joe Biden signed S.30, the Fiscal Year 2023 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act, into law. The proposal was led in the House by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), where it passed with broad bipartisan support last month. The legislation authorizes several projects that will help expand health care services to veterans across the country, including for Portland VA Medical Center to build a new specialty care facility and make other upgrades to improve accessibility and safety for Oregon veterans.

“This new bipartisan law is good news for veterans in Oregon and across the country,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “I’m grateful that veterans will soon receive the improved care they deserve, including at the Portland VA Medical Center, through safety updates and the construction of a new specialty care facility.”

“This bipartisan legislation will ensure VA medical facilities across the country, including in Oregon, are able to provide more high-quality health care services to our veterans. I was honored to lead this legislation in the House with Congresswoman Bonamici, and I’m glad President Biden quickly signed it into law. I’ll continue working in a bipartisan manner to ensure those who have served our country receive the care they deserve,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

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However, many VA facilities are outdated, making it difficult to provide the most advanced and best care for veterans.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. 

The Portland VA is authorized $523 million to construct a new specialty care facility and to complete 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 a women’s clinic.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.
 

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