House Sends VA Choice Expansion Bill To Senate
The funding for the program that allows veterans to seek care outside the Veterans Affairs system is set to run out at the end of the month. Top Senate lawmakers say they hope to pass the legislation before that deadline.
Modern Healthcare:
House Passes VA Choice Expansion
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the long-delayed VA Choice reforms Wednesday night, potentially teeing up a vote in the Senate before funds for the current Choice program are expected to run out at the end of May. The bill folds all the community care options for veterans into the Choice program and opens up private provider options if VA facilities don't meet certain access standards and quality measures—an effort to address issues of long waits and poor quality care. It's unclear when the Senate vote will happen. (Luthi, 5/16)
The Associated Press:
House OKs Expansion Of Private Care At VA, Budget Crisis Fix
The long-awaited bill would change how veterans receive their medical treatment by allowing them to go to a private physician when they felt government-run VA medical centers couldn't provide the care they needed, with the approval of a VA health provider. Veterans could access private care when they endured lengthy wait times, or the treatment was not what they had expected. The VA would decide in many cases when a veteran sees an outside doctor, based on conditions it sets that determine what is inadequate care. (5/16)
CQ:
House Passes Veterans Health Care Overhaul
The legislation (S 2372) would extend funding for the Veterans Choice Program by $5.2 billion before combining the program with other community care programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2019. The Choice program is expected to run out of funds by May 31. The Choice program allows veterans to seek care outside of the VA if they live more than 40 miles from a VA facility or have to wait more than 30 days for an appointment. The bill would instead allow veterans to see a private doctor if their service isn’t provided by the VA or if the doctor agrees that private care is in the patient’s best interest. (Clason, 5/16)
