Bill > HR71

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program to enhance veterans' healthcare choices by allowing them to access medical care more flexibly across the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities and community healthcare providers. The program will be implemented in at least four Veterans Integrated Service Networks, covering both rural and urban areas, and will enable eligible veterans enrolled in the VA patient system to choose their primary and specialty care providers across a "covered care system" that includes VA medical facilities, community health providers, and entities with Veterans Care Agreements. Key provisions include requiring veterans to select a primary care provider who will coordinate their care, allowing veterans to choose specialty and mental health care providers, and mandating that the VA provide comprehensive information to help veterans make informed healthcare decisions. After the pilot program's three-year duration, the bill permanently modifies existing VA healthcare regulations to provide veterans with more provider selection flexibility, removing current geographic and network restrictions. The VA will be required to submit quarterly implementation reports and annual results reports to Congressional Veterans' Affairs Committees, and the program will be funded using existing VA Healthcare Administration resources without additional appropriations.

Health and Social Services, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/71/all-info