Poliquin introduces bill to extend pilot program for rural veteran health care

U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) introduced a bill on Wednesday that would extend a pilot program enabling rural hospitals to contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Congress established the Access Received Closer to Home (ARCH) Program in 2011 to help veterans living in rural areas receive care closer to home. Five rural hospitals were selected to participate in the pilot program.

“It is so important our veterans receive the health care and benefits they were promised, earned and deserve,” Poliquin said. “From talking with veterans personally in Aroostook County who use the program, I know the ARCH program has proven to be an extraordinary success. With so many VA programs under scrutiny for mismanagement, it’s important that we implement the programs that are successful and that truly benefit our veterans.”

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) was the lead cosponsor of the bipartisan bill to extend the ARCH Program before it lapses in August.

“There are far too many examples of veterans not getting the care they earned and deserve, or of wait times that are way too long,” Pingree said. “But the ARCH program is a success story and an example of the kind of responsive, flexible care we need to provide our veterans, especially in rural states like Maine. It absolutely should be extended and we’re going to work to make sure that happens.”

Poliquin and Pingree also introduced the bipartisan Helping Our Rural Veterans Receive Health Care Act, H.R. 3709, in October to make the ARCH Program permanent.