Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Veterans Are Warned That 'A Few Hiccups' Are Expected As VA Implements Expanded Privatized Care
Military.Com: VA Secretary Confident June 6 Rollout Of Private-Care Options Will Be Smooth
Veterans can expect some glitches in the June 6 rollout of the new community care system but, for most who are eligible, getting an appointment with a private doctor should come down to "punching a button," according to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie. There will be "a few hiccups," but "I'm confident our team is ready across the country" for the long-awaited implementation of the VA Mission Act, said Wilkie, who has billed the new system as the most transformative veterans care initiative in a generation. (Sisk, 6/3)
CQ: VA Finalizes Standards For Private Care
The Department of Veterans Affairs on Tuesday finalized rules governing how veterans can access non-VA doctors, sticking with parameters the department originally proposed in January over objections from some advocates. Under one of the two rules, which both take effect Thursday, veterans can access non-VA providers if their drive time to a VA facility exceeds 30 minutes for primary care, mental health or home health services, and 60 minutes for specialty care. The standards also allow VA patients to see private providers if appointment wait times exceed 20 days for primary care, mental health or home health, and 28 days for specialty care. (Clason, 6/4)
NPR: VA Secretary Robert Wilkie On Allowing More Veterans To Seek Private Health Care
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Robert Wilkie, secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, about a new program that launches June 6 that would allow more veterans to seek private health care. (6/4)
