Washington, June 12 (RHC)-- The U.S. Senate has approved a measure that would help ease healthcare delays for military veterans. The bill would increase access to private care and free up the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand medical services.

U.S. lawmakers will reconcile differences with a House measure approved this week before sending a final bill to President Barack Obama. The VA has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that health clinics in Arizona and Colorado used elaborate schemes to hide records of patients who waited too long for care, causing dozens of deaths.

Speaking before the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, FBI Director James Comey confirmed the launching of a criminal probe into the Veteran Affair's conduct.