Cassidy Applauds House Passage of VA Bill

Press Release

Today, Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) applauded the House passage of legislation that will allow veterans who cannot currently access care through the VA to access care through private sector providers. Dr. Cassidy is an original co-sponsor of the bill.

The Veteran Access to Care Act of 2014 will allow veterans who receive inadequate wait-times, who would not be able to obtain a needed appointment at a VA facility within a designated timeframe, or who live more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility to seek care through a private sector provider.

Dr. Cassidy released the following statement:

"Our veterans fought to protect our freedoms, therefore we have an obligation to protect their health. If VA hospitals cannot fulfill this obligation then the common sense solution is to let veterans receive treatment in non-VA facilities. I will continue to push for patient-centered solutions so our veterans receive quality healthcare services in a timely manner."

Veteran Access to Care Act of 2014 does the following:

Requires VA to offer a non-VA care authorization to a veteran who has been waiting longer than the VHA wait-time goals for an appointment, would not be able to obtain a needed appointment at a VA facility within those same wait-time goals, or who lives more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility. The veteran has an option to decline non-VA care if they prefer to wait.
Requires VA to ensure that the veteran receives the same care and treatment through the non-VA care provider

Requires VA to submit a quarterly report to Congress on the care provided, to include information regarding the number of veterans utilizing non-VA care, the number declining non-VA care, and an accounting as to what purchase methods and payment rates were used to provide the non-VA care

Requires VA to contract with independent private sector experts experienced and private sector systems to conduct a system-wide assessment of VHA performance and capabilities

Requires VA to submit to Congress the findings and recommendations of the assessment within ten months of review

Requires VA, within 120 days of the conclusion of the assessment, to report to HVAC/SVAC on the Department's response to the assessment's findings and timelines for fully implementing the audit's recommendations.

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