Update: Click here for MOAA's coverage of the town hall.
On Sept. 27, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie will host a community town hall event where he will deliver his “State of VA” address.
Wilkie is expected is to talk about progress on implementing the VA MISSION Act, President Donald Trump's expansion of the 2014 Veterans Choice program. Both laws help qualified veterans experiencing long wait times at VA centers receive private-sector care at the federal government's expense.
The event comes a day after Wilkie makes his first appearance before Congress since his confirmation hearing earlier this year. He will appear before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to address reform efforts at the department.
He's also expected to talk about efforts to improve transparency at VA facilities. VA - the largest health system in the nation - is also the first to post wait times for patients online.
MOAA hopes the secretary will announce progress in the development of a joint electronic health record with DoD. Ensuring medical information is seamlessly passed between departments when servicemembers leave the military and transition to veteran status is essential for 21st century care.
You can register here to watch Thursday's event.