Media

IAVA Leadership Fellow to Testify at Congressional Field Hearing on Veterans Choice Program

August 20, 2015
Press

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing to take place at University of North Georgia, Gainesville Campus

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 20, 2015) — Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Georgia Leadership Fellow Dr. Wayman Duane Williams will testify Friday at a special field hearing for the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee entitled, “The Veteran’s Choice Program: Are Problems in Georgia Indicative of a National Problem?” The hearing, chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), will examine the VA implementation of the Veterans Choice Program. The hearing will also include testimony from VA Secretary Robert McDonald.

This hearing is the third in a series of oversight hearings to examine the implementation of the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act. The act, passed in August 2014, was designed to ensure the VA efficiently utilizes the Veterans Choice Program, which allows veterans to receive health care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs if they meet certain criteria.

The hearing is open to the public and press are invited to attend. In addition to Dr. Williams, IAVA Chief Policy Officer Matt Miller will be present at the hearing and available for interviews.

WHAT: Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Field Hearing
The Veterans Choice Program: Are Problems in Georgia Indicative of a National Problem?

WHO: Dr. Wayman Duane Williams
VA Secretary Robert McDonald
IAVA Chief Policy Officer Matt Miller

WHERE: University of North Georgia, Gainesville Campus
Continuing Education/Performing Arts Center
Continuing Education Auditorium, Room 108
3820 Mundy Mill Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30566

WHEN: Friday, August 21, 2015 – 2:00 PM

Panel I
Hon. Bob McDonald, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs
Accompanied by: Dr. James Tuchschmidt, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Department of Veterans Affairs

Panel II
Dr. Waymon Duane Williams, Leadership Fellow, IAVA
Donna Hoffmeier, Vice President, VA Services and PCCC Program Manager, HealthNet Federal Services
Dr. Stephen Jarrard, provider and veteran
Carlos Chacha, veteran

About Dr. Wayman Dwayne Williams
As Georgia Leadership Fellow, Dr. Williams is a catalyst for veteran leadership development, policy advocacy and team building. Dr. Williams spent 26 years with the Active Army and a number of years in the reserve components. In his last combat assignment he was responsible to the MNFI Surgeon and MNFI Commanding General for independent coordination with various government and nongovernment agencies to support health sector partnership programs with the Iraqi government as he traveled across the country. He has advanced degrees in religion and public policy. He is currently the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Board of DeKalb County, Georgia, responsible for the county’s veteran recognition, advocacy, and research programs on behalf of the 42,000 veterans in one of Georgia’s largest counties. He has been working in the veteran policy and advocacy space for nine years.