Interviewed by Fox News on Monday, Tuberville explained that the actions of the administration caused him to introduce the "No VA Resources for Illegal Aliens Act," with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Congressman Mike Bost (R-IL), chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee to prevent this misuse of VA resources from continuing.
Under the new law, the VA is completely forbidden from providing "health care to, and may not engage in claims processing for health care for, any individual unlawfully present in the United States."
He told Fox, "[Biden's] decided, OK, we've got to feed all these 10 million people we've let come across the border, we've got to house them, and we've got to give them health care. They've opened up care from the doctors in these [VA] community care systems. The lines now in the VA's are getting longer. Our funds that are supposed to go to the veterans are going to these illegal immigrants that are coming across."
In a press release from Bost, the congressman laid the crisis entirely at the feet of the president, citing the effective collapse of the border due to his policies. "Joe Biden’s failed border policies have created a humanitarian and national security crisis," the release read. "Now it appears he’s taking resources away from our veterans to facilitate healthcare for illegal migrants.
"As a Marine, I believe any dollar taken away from a veteran is a promise broken to those who served. I’ve demanded answers from the Biden administration and been stonewalled every step of the way. Until I get the response our veterans deserve, I’ll use every available tool of my chairmanship to end this practice and put our veterans first."
Fox News initially reported the troubling findings in December revealing that the Department of Homeland Security via contracts with the VA’s Financial Service Center (VA-FSC) has been processing reimbursements to third-party medical providers who give specialist or emergency medical care to illegal immigrants in Federal custody.
VA press secretary Terrence Hayes told Fox News, "VA does not provide or fund any health care services to individuals detained in [ICE] custody. At no time are any VA health care professionals or VA funds used for this purpose."
However, the agency did not deny the use of VA resources confirming that an interagency agreement with the ICE’s Health Service Corps (IHSC) has been in place since 2002, stating, "[IHSC] provides and pays for all health care services for individuals detained in its custody."
Hayes added that the FSC, part of the VA's Office of Management is a "franchise fund organization that offers medical claims processing services to VA and other government agencies."
Russ Duerstine, executive director of Concerned Veterans for America and an Air Force veteran didn't see it the same way and called upon Congress to act. "That is the solution we need to have," he said.
In a press release from Sen. Blackburn and Tuberville, they said, "Joe Biden is putting illegal immigrants over America’s veterans. It is outrageous. Our veterans should not be forced to wait in long lines at VA medical centers and clinics to get the care they EARNED while illegal immigrants waltz across our open border and get taxpayer-funded healthcare they NEVER earned.
"Our veterans should have the best healthcare we can provide—and illegals who have no right to be in this country don’t deserve a dime from the taxpayer. Congress needs to pass this legislation to stop Joe Biden from robbing veterans to pay off illegals.”
Blackburn added, "Our nation’s veterans deserve nothing less than the very best care we have to offer. Joe Biden is trying to take away healthcare from our brave veterans to give to illegal immigrants. Under no circumstances should taxpayer dollars intended to support our veterans be spent on illegal immigrants.”
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