South Dakota's Kristi Noem (R) calls Tuesday's easy House passage of the Veterans Access to Care Act, a first step, but a necessary step.

The Legislation, co-sponsored by Noem, allows veterans to receive care at non-VA facilities if they face unreasonable wait times or if they live more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility.

The U-S Senate is considering similar legislation.

Noem says that some South Dakota veterans have come to her office after waiting months - in some cases, years - to get their VA health claims resolved.

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