Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Bill Granting Veterans More Freedom To Seek Care Outside VA System Moves Forward In House
The Associated Press: House Panel OKs Plan To Grow VA Private Care, A Trump Pledge
A House committee approved a wide-ranging plan Tuesday to give veterans more freedom to see doctors outside the Veterans Affairs health system and fix a budget crisis in its troubled Choice private-sector program, a major step toward fulfilling President Donald Trump's promise to expand private care options. The $51 billion plan includes $5.2 billion to avert a catastrophic shutdown of Choice. The program is slated to run out of money as early as May 31, causing disruptions in medical care to tens of thousands of patients. (Yen, 5/8)
The Hill: House Panel Advances Major VA Reform Bill
The legislation, called the VA Mission Act, advanced through the House Veterans' Affairs Committee by a 20-2 vote, a key first step to get the bill to President Trump for a signature before the end of the month. The bill would expand the number of veterans who are eligible to see private sector health specialists, as well as entitle veterans enrolled in the VA system to see a private doctor twice a year without a copay. (Weixel, 5/8)
Modern Healthcare: VA Choice Bill Clears First Hurdle As May 31 Deadline Approaches
Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota, ranking Democrat on the House VA Committee, and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) opposed the VA Choice changes, signaling that the long-simmering tension between the Trump administration and Congress over the legislation linger as lawmakers press to get the bill to President Donald Trump's desk by the end of May. Walz blamed the White House for strong-arming key Democratic requests that included a yearly VA review of the agency's decision to send veterans to community providers. Walz also wanted to exempt Choice funding from potential sequester cuts; the funding would move from mandatory to discretionary spending under the legislation. (Luthi, 5/8)
