Bill > HR3482

This bill establishes an online program to improve appointment scheduling for veterans receiving care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through the Veterans Community Care Program. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to develop an information technology system within one year that will allow VA employees to schedule appointments with non-VA healthcare providers who participate in the program. The new system will enable schedulers to view, search, and sort available appointments, schedule appointments, provide referral documents, and perform other necessary functions. The VA must conduct an outreach campaign to encourage non-VA providers to participate in the program and will be required to submit regular reports to Congressional committees detailing the program's implementation and usage, including the number of providers involved and appointments scheduled. The program is designed to be temporary, with a seven-year sunset provision, and aims to streamline and improve the process of scheduling community care appointments for veterans. The bill modifies existing law to integrate this new scheduling program into the current veterans healthcare framework, with various technical amendments to ensure proper implementation and reporting.

Government Affairs, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3482/all-info