VET Connect Act of 2016

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5162, the Vet Connect Act of 2016. The bill is sponsored by my friend and classmate, Congressman Beto O'Rourke.

In 2014, when Congress passed the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act, we created a program called Choice, to make access to care easier for veterans who were unable to get an appointment at their local VA medical center. These veterans have now been able to get care closer to their home with the provider of their choice.

However, current law prevented the community providers from getting records from the VA regarding the previous care veterans had received.

This bill gives the VA authority to disclose certain medical records of veterans who receive non-VA care to community providers.

Essentially, this would allow the VA to share health information with the veteran's non-VA doctor without having HIPAA implications. Current treatments are already covered under HIPAA, and this bill would allow previous treatments to be disclosed, thereby improving the continuity of care.

I commend my colleague from Texas for being a leader in ensuring safe, quality health care for veterans. He has been a champion for veterans in El Paso and has turned the concerns that he has heard from his constituents into thoughtful legislation that helps veterans across our country.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in passing this legislation, H.R. 5162. I, once again, thank my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. O'Rourke) for his passionate advocacy for veterans.

BREAK IN TRANSCCRIPT

Source