U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) this week urged the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to authorize coverage of COVID-19 tests at mobile testing sites the same way urgent and emergency care services are covered by the VA.
Currently, mobile testing sites are not covered under the VA’s urgent and emergency care policies, which may force U.S. military veterans to pay for the tests themselves, according to an April 27 letter Sen. Capito and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) sent to U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie.
“This is especially important for rural veterans who currently have to choose between traveling to their nearest VA facility or paying for a test out-of-pocket if they go to a site within their community,” wrote the members. “It is imperative that all veterans have access to COVID-19 testing and urge you to authorize mobile testing sites in the same manner as urgent and emergency care services.”
Sen. Capito and her colleague also requested a phone call with Secretary Wilkie to discuss the issue.