Legislation recently introduced in the Senate would make the Veterans Choice Program permanent, allowing qualifying veterans to continue seeking care outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system.
U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) is joined by original cosponsors U.S. Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Boozman (R-AR) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) in introducing the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, S. 2646.
In addition to making the Veterans Choice Program permanent and providing advance funding, the Veterans Choice Act would also simplify eligibility requirements, reimbursement rates, funding sources and regulations.
“Our veterans should not have to wait months or years to get the quality health care services they need, nor should they have to drive for hours to get routine care,” Hoeven said. “Two years ago, we worked very hard to pass the Veterans Choice Program to address these issues, but clearly that legislation needs to be improved. The bill we’re introducing today will strengthen the Choice Act by cutting red tape and confusion and giving local private medical providers in North Dakota and across the nation the confidence they need to enter into service agreements with the VA. It will allow our vets, who didn’t delay defending our nation, to get the high quality care they need within their own communities and without delay.”
Under the Veteran Choice Act, one funding source would be established for all non-VA care programs, while overlapping programs would be consolidated into the Veterans Choice Program.
“My legislation cuts down on the bureaucratic delays, hassles and confusion that is standing in between veterans and the health care they need,” Burr said. “Congress must take action on this legislation so that every American veteran will finally be able to rely on quality care without having to wait or drive far.”
The bill would modernize and secure the claim submission process to meet industry best practices, which would make medical providers more apt to participate.
“The Veterans Choice Program is critical to providing New Hampshire’s veterans with choices regarding where they receive the health care they have earned,” Ayotte said. “As part of our ongoing efforts to address shortcomings with the VA’s implementation of the program, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 would make important reforms and ensure that the program is permanently extended. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and I will continue my efforts to protect New Hampshire veterans’ health care choices.”