FOX 7 Investigation leads TX & Il. senators to sponsor Veterans Transplant Act

FOX 7 continues to follow up on the VA's denial of coverage for a Leander veteran's kidney transplant.

The VA told the Nelson family the "Choice Program" wouldn't cover the surgery because the living donor is not a veteran. Charles Nelson got his kidney from his son last Thursday and had to go through Medicare in order to pay for the surgery.

Then, over the weekend, the offices of Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk notified FOX 7 they had introduced the "Veterans Transplant Act of 2016" to clarify the Choice Program.

The bill authorizes the VA Secretary to provide veterans coverage for living donor transplant procedures at any facility if they qualify for the Choice Program.

Sen. Cornyn issued the following statement:

Sen. Kirk also said:

As we have been from the start, FOX 7 remains committed to staying on top of this. Count on us to update you as this bill makes its way through Congress and let you know how the VA responds.