The U.S. Senate today passed bipartisan legislation to overhaul the Veterans Affairs Department’s healthcare system, which is mired in scandal.

“Lawmakers voted 93-3 in favor of a nearly $2 billion bill from Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) that gives the VA secretary new authority to fire senior executives and provides veterans greater options for seeking medical care,” according to this report from The Hill.

Republican Sens. Jeff Sessions (Ala.), Bob Corker (Tenn.) and Ron Johnson (Wis.) voted against the bill.

“The vote came the same day that the Justice Department ordered the FBI to open an investigation into misconduct at the VA,” says The Hill. “An audit released Monday found the department has systematically concealed long wait times for care, with more than 57,000 veterans waiting at least 90 days to see a doctor.”

Greenbay Packer’s Veteran’s Day Celebration, 2010.

Flickr: The National Guard

The House on Tuesday unanimously passed similar legislation. 

Hawaii’s senators, who were among the bill’s co-sponsors, praised passage of the legislation.

“The compromise bill passed today will help improve veterans’ access to health care by giving patients more provider options, expediting the hiring of VA medical professionals and authorizing the leases of new medical facilities, including the Leeward Oahu VA Outpatient Healthcare Access Center,” Mazie Hirono said in a press release. “The bill also includes VA reforms to help hold officials more accountable. 

Hirono’s office says the bill calls for:

• $15.8 million in authorized funds for the Leeward facility, to be co-located with the Kapolei Vet Center and Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office;

• directing the VA to expand healthcare contracts with the Native Hawaiian Health Care System, community health centers and the Department of Defense; and

• providing University of Hawaii veteran students with in-state tuition and includes provisions allowing UH to require veteran students to prove their intent to stay in Hawaii after college.

Brian Schatz said in a press release, “To ensure veterans don’t have to wait while new facilities are being leased and providers are being hired, this bill will allow eligible veterans who can’t get a timely appointment to see a private doctor.  Making sure our veterans have the care they have earned is an area where we can all come together.”