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Article snippet: MORE's selection of Robert Wilkie to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is being praised by veterans groups as a safe, stabilizing move in the aftermath of the failed nomination of former White House physician Ronny Jackson. Wilkie, who is serving as acting VA secretary, is a Washington insider with years of administrative experience who has previously worked on Capitol Hill as well as in the Pentagon for two presidents. He’s drawn praise from both Republicans and Democrats, and outside advocacy groups hope he will avoid getting mired in the same ongoing fight over privatization that beset his predecessor, former Secretary MORE. “The VA has had six different leaders in last five years; it’s facing systemic problems. All the tumultuous changes are not good for veterans,” said John Hoellwarth, national communications director for AMVETS, a veterans service organization. “Veterans benefit from continuity.” If confirmed, Wilkie will have to walk a tightrope if he is to succeed in implementing some of the biggest reforms to the VA in decades. Trump is expected to sign into law the VA Mission Act, a $55 billion bipartisan bill that, among other policies, will change how the agency pays for private care. Under the bill, VA doctors will decide when a veteran should see a private-sector provider, replacing the complicated systems that are used today. It also includes a one-year extension of the VA Choice program, which was the result of the VA health scandal tha... Link to the full article to read more