Rural Veterans Access to Care Act

Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report

Capitol Hill Watch House Veterans' Affairs Committee Approves Veterans' Health Care Bills
[Jul 17, 2008]
The House Veterans' Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved several bills related to health care services for veterans, CQ HealthBeat reports. One of the bills (HR 1527), sponsored by Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), would establish a three-year pilot program that would allow "highly rural" veterans enrolled in four of the Department of Veterans Affairs' 21 health care networks to receive health services through outside providers. The bill defines highly rural as veterans seeking primary care who live more than 60 miles from the nearest veterans' facility; veterans seeking acute hospital care who live more than 120 miles from a facility; and those seeking tertiary care who live more than 240 miles from a facility (Lubbes, CQ HealthBeat, 7/16). The bill also would allow veterans to access care at other facilities if VA determines that travel would be difficult for veterans or is "not in the best interest of the veteran" (Povich, CongressDaily, 7/17).

Rural Veterans Access to Care Act (Introduced in House)

HR 1527 IH


110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1527
To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow highly rural veterans enrolled in the health system of the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive covered health services through providers other than those of the Department, and for other purposes.


IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 14, 2007
Mr. MORAN of Kansas (for himself and Mr. LATHAM) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs


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A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow highly rural veterans enrolled in the health system of the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive covered health services through providers other than those of the Department, and for other purposes.


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Rural Veterans Access to Care Act'.

SEC. 2. ENHANCED CONTRACT CARE AUTHORITY FOR HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF VETERANS IN HIGHLY RURAL AREAS.

(a) Contract Care for Highly Rural Veterans- Section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`(e)(1) A highly rural veteran who is enrolled in the system of patient enrollment established under section 1705(a) of this title may elect to receive covered health services for which such veteran is eligible through a non-Department health-care provider. Such an election shall be made by submission to the Secretary of an application in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary prescribes. The Secretary shall authorize such services to be furnished to such veteran pursuant to contracting with such a provider to furnish such services to such veteran.

`(2) For purposes of this subsection, a highly rural veteran is one who--

`(A) resides in a location that is--

`(I) more than 60 miles driving distance from the nearest Department health-care facility providing primary care services, if the veteran is seeking such services;

`(ii) more than 120 miles driving distance from the nearest Department health-care facility providing acute hospital care, if the veteran is seeking such care; or

`(iii) more than 240 miles driving distance from the nearest Department health-care facility providing tertiary care, if the veteran is seeking such care; or

`(B) in the case of a veteran who resides in a location less than the distance indicated in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (A), as applicable, experiences such hardship or other difficulties in travel to the nearest appropriate Department health-care facility that such travel is not in the best interest of the veteran, as determined by the Secretary pursuant to regulations prescribed for purposes of this subsection.

`(3) For purposes of this subsection, a covered health service is any hospital care, medical service, rehabilitative service, or preventative health service authorized to be provided by the Secretary under this chapter or any other provision of law.

`(4) For purposes of this subsection, a health-care provider is any qualified entity or individual furnishing a covered health service.

`(5) In meeting the requirements of this subsection, the Secretary shall--

`(A) consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a partnership to coordinate care for rural veterans conducted at critical access hospitals, community health centers, and rural health clinics; and

`(B) expand the use of fee-basis care through which private hospitals, health-care facilities, and other third-party health-care providers are reimbursed.'.

(b) Effective Date- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement the amendment made by subsection (a) not later than October 1, 2008.

SEC. 3. AUTHORITY OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PHARMACIES TO DISPENSE MEDICATIONS TO HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS ON PRESCRIPTIONS WRITTEN BY NON-DEPARTMENT PRACTITIONERS.

Section 1712 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`(f) Subject to section 1722A of this title, the Secretary shall furnish to a highly rural veteran, as described in section 1703(e)(2) of this title, such drugs and medicines as may be ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician in the treatment of any illness or injury of the veteran. Such drugs and medicines shall be furnished in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as apply to a prescription written by a Department physician.'.
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