McCain demands accounting:

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McCain

Sen John McCain is demanding a full accounting from the Department of Veterans Affairs on the financial status of its privatesector health care program after the agency said it could face another budget shortfall as soon as December.

The Associated Press reported this week that the VA had acknowledged its Veterans Choice program could run out of money by year’s end despite receiving $2.1 billion in emergency funding just last month. Another shortfall could forcethe VA to limit referrals to outside doctors, causing delays in medical care for hundreds of thousands of veterans.

In a letter to VA Secretary David Shulkin, McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he wants to know specifically when the VA expects Choice to run out of money. McCain cites AP’s report, which included a statement from VA that Choice funds could be depleted as early as December or as late as March.

The letter, sent late Wednesday, calls for a VA response by the end of the week.

The Arizona Republican noted that Congress was led astray earlier this year after VA provided false assurances that Choice funds would last until early 2018. After Shulkin admitted to a budget shortfall in June, McCain joined other senators to express concern to VA about possible financial mismanagement.

Congress ultimately approved $2.1 billion in emergency spending for Choice that was intended to last until February. (AP)