The Department of Veterans Affairs on May 19 announced changes that will make it easier for VA-enrolled veterans to access health care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense.
Since 2019, the MISSION Act has enabled VA-enrolled veterans to access health care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense when it is in the best medical interest of the veteran. While the veteran and their referring clinician made the decision together, it was not considered final until a second VA doctor reviewed it.
VA said it is immediately implementing language in the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act that removes the extra review step, allowing eligible veterans faster access to community care.
“Under President Trump, VA is providing veterans with more health care choices than ever before,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins in a statement. “Now, we’re making it even easier for veterans to get their health care when and where [it's] most convenient for them. We are putting Veterans first at the department, and that means placing a premium on customer service and convenience. This important change will help us do just that.”
Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) applauded the announcement in a statement.
“Veterans should always have access to the best healthcare that meets their individual needs - whether that’s inside or outside VA - and without a paperwork nightmare to make that happen,” he said. “The Dole Act included House Republicans’ requirements to streamline the process and do exactly that.”
Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) countered that the Trump VA was mandated by Congress to begin implementing the provision more than a month ago and has failed to implement more than a dozen other time-sensitive provisions into law.
“Whether Secretary Collins is willfully ignoring them or flagrantly failing to act, the result is the same,” he said. “Veterans are being shortchanged and the law is not being upheld. This Administration’s half-hearted approach to implementing laws passed by Congress is unacceptable. Veterans deserve better.”
Veterans Health Administration employees will receive training to ensure compliance with the Elizabeth Dole Act.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.