U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) was joined by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) on Friday in introducing H.R. 4352, the Faster Care for Veterans Act.
The legislation would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin a pilot program at VA medical facilities incorporating commercially available self-scheduling technologies.
“Our veterans should have the same options that people have in doctors’ offices across the country,” McMorris Rodgers said. “After hearing from a number of veterans in Eastern Washington, it’s clear that current systems at the VA are so archaic and cumbersome, the agency is unable to follow through on its responsibility to provide the care our veterans have earned.
“We must try something different. With this bill, we are demonstrating to the VA that innovative technology – already available to millions of patients – can work for them to get our veterans the care they’ve earned in a timely manner, cut back on red tape, and stay within budget. I appreciate Rep. Moulton’s support on this important legislation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the People’s House to see it through.”
The legislation comes as a direct response to reports of unacceptable wait times, poor treatment and failed customer service at VA facilities nationwide. In 2015, the number of veterans with wait times of 30 days or more for medical care increased by 50 percent.
According to a 2008 internal audit by the inspector general of the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 18 percent of outpatient appointment slots were unfilled as a result of patient “no-shows” or because canceled appointments were not refilled. A scheduling program was then adopted by the VA to address the issue, but the program is reportedly too expensive, too time consuming to implement and does not guarantee a self-scheduling component.
The Faster Care for Veterans Act requires the VA to commence an 18-month pilot program to allow access for veterans to an online, self-scheduling technology that is available in the private sector.