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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas has proposed legislation to prevent veterans from being dropped from the VA health care system following long periods between doctor's appointments.
The two-term Democratic lawmaker on Thursday proposed a bill that would prohibit the VA secretary from altering availability and wait times for hospital care, medical services or other health care based on the length of time since the veteran's last visit to a VA facility.
Pryor's office said the measure was in response to concerns raised by the American Legion during a meeting in Little Rock.
Republicans have been focusing on the problems within the VA that led to Secretary Eric Shinseki's resignation as an issue in Pryor's re-election bid. Pryor is being challenged by Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton.
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