Kilmer, Visclosky Make Progress Increasing Flexibility for Veterans Seeking Healthcare
WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 23, 2015 – The House Appropriations Committee passed a bill that includes a provision authored by Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Pete Visclosky (D-IN) to increase flexibility for veterans seeking healthcare. The initiative was contained in the Fiscal year (FY) 2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill that cleared the committee yesterday. The report language would make it easier for veterans with long travel times to VA clinics to get care at medical facilities closer to home.
In response to news reports last year about patient delays at the Phoenix VA hospital and other clinics Congress passed legislation to address the problem. One area the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 sought to fix was helping rural veterans better access needed care. The law created the Veterans Choice Program at the VA to allow veterans to visit non-VA facilities if they live more than 40 miles from a VA facility or face scheduling delays. Under the current system, the VA will pay for veterans who live at least 40 miles from the nearest VA clinic to go to a closer private facility.
But the rule does not take into account the actual time veterans spend traveling to appointments; it only uses the 40 mile measurement for eligibility. Kilmer and Visclosky obtained a provision to expand it by asking the VA to consider the time it takes to actually drive to the nearest VA clinic.
“Veterans on the Olympic Peninsula and in rural areas across the country are still struggling to access quality care,” said Kilmer. “It’s hard to take time out of your day when you live in a place like Sequim and drive to Seattle or Tacoma to see a doctor. We are directing the VA to not only count miles but also to factor in the time it takes. Instead of sitting in traffic jams or waiting to cross a backed up bridge, our veterans should be able to go to an appointment where they actually live.”
“I am pleased with the language in the Military and Veterans Appropriations bill that re-emphasizes the need for our veterans to have access to additional healthcare options. As a nation, we are indebted to these brave men and women and serving them is not only our patriotic duty but it is also our moral obligation,” said Visclosky.
In March, Visclosky led a letter signed by Kilmer asking the VA to improve the program by factoring in travel times, not just measuring the 40 mile distance.
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