The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill allowing veterans to seek medical care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“Passed 426-0, the bill would require the VA to pay for enrolled veterans’ medical care from private doctors if they cannot get appointments within the department’s wait time goals,” according to The Hill. “The VA’s target for scheduling medical appointments is 14 days.”

Hawaii’s two representatives cautiously welcomed the legislation.

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Colleen Hanabusa, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a press release, “This bill isn’t perfect. I have serious doubts about some provisions, like the one that would eliminate incentives to hire doctors and nurses to help fix the VA’s personnel issues. I will continue to urge my colleagues to look for long-term fixes that will provide for our veterans and build a stronger system overall.”

Hanabusa continued: “However, in the short term, I believe this is a necessary start to ensuring that our country fulfills its obligation care for those who have risked their lives to defend our freedoms.”

Tulsi Gabbard said in a press release, “More than 100,000 veterans in Hawaii and across the country are waiting to see a doctor, and tens of thousands of them are simply lost in the bureaucracy. The Veterans Access to Care Act is a first step toward fixing the VA’s scheduling problems, but it does not go far enough to provide the flexibility for veterans to seek medical care outside the VA system. Even with this bill, veterans will still face obstacles to receiving care and would only be able to seek private healthcare if their wait time exceeds VA’s arbitrary wait time goals.”

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) have a bill that would “similarly give the VA secretary authority to fire executive as well as allow some veterans to seek healthcare outside the VA,” according to The Hill. “A vote on the measure has not yet been scheduled.”