AHA-supported bill would improve, make permanent Veterans Choice Program

The AHA today voiced support for the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act (H.R. 3183), legislation that would make the Veterans Choice Program permanent and more accessible. “Your bill ensures that our nation’s veterans will be able to more easily seek care outside the VA health system by making the Veterans Choice Program permanent,” AHA Senior Vice President Tom Nickels told Rep. David Jolly (R-FL) in a letter of support for the bill. “Further, your bill eliminates impediments to accessing care and creates a true ‘choice card’ by enabling veterans to obtain hospital care and medical services at non-VA health providers regardless of their proximity to, or wait times at a Veterans Health Administration facility. In addition, your bill requires the VA Secretary to report to Congress annually on the changes in patient load per VA facility and to make recommendation for budgetary adjustments to those facilities based on patient load.”