Representative Scott Franklin (R-FL) is reintroducing legislation protecting veterans' access to the Veteran Community Care Program (VCCP) over services provided directly by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
More specifically, Rep. Franklin's Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act amends Title 38 of the United States Code to consider "continuity of care" in determining "best medical interest" under the VCCP.
As a result, veterans in VCCP programs would retain access, be provided with the most convenient care providers, and be protected from disruptions.
The bill builds upon the 2018 MISSION Act, which President Trump signed into law in his first term. It expands and streamlines veterans' access to private healthcare providers where VA facilities are too far away to access regularly.
In his press release, Rep. Franklin emphasized, "Those who bravely served our nation deserve a healthcare system that provides timely access to quality care. Our veterans should be empowered to choose the care that works best for them, whether inside or outside the VA."
Moreover, the Florida Congressman described the goal of the Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act as to "eliminate red tape that disrupts VA benefits and remove any Biden Administration hurdles that forced veterans back into inconvenient healthcare options. It will also make it easier for veterans to receive timely access to personalized treatment and services regardless of where they live."
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), who is introducing the bill's Senate companion, said, "Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country and deserve access to quick and quality care."
"Under the Biden-Harris VA, we witnessed an exasperation of bureaucratic red tape, which has put our veterans' health at risk. Allowing veterans to see their local doctor alleviates wait and drive times, especially for those who do not live close to a VA facility," Sen. Tuberville added.
At the end of January, Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced a similar bill addressing community care for veterans focused more specifically on mental healthcare.
Rep. Bilirakis's "Veterans' Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers" (ACCESS) Act establishes a baseline for community care standards and improves access to lifesaving treatment for mental health issues and addiction that leave veterans at a high risk of suicide.
