VA Implements Huelskamp Choice Legislation Expanding Local Care to 100K+ More Veterans

Press Release

Today the Veterans Affairs Department announced new eligibility criteria for the Veterans Choice Program. It is estimated this open the program to 160,000 more Veterans so they can receive health services closer to home.

As a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Congressman Tim Huelskamp (KS-01) has long been a proponent of expanding health care choices for our nation's Veterans. Together with colleagues He helped author landmark legislation in August 2014 to allow eligible Veterans to get care outside the VA system.

In July, the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Act was signed into law by President Obama and included new expanded eligibility options for our Veterans. Congressman Huelskamp advocated for these reforms in his role on the Veterans Affairs Committee to remedy some of the burdensome limitations in the original law. The new policies include expanded options for Veterans who reside near facilities without a full-time primary care provider -- which includes several Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Kansas. Additionally, the VA will be given more flexibility to refer veterans into non-VA care who are facing an unusual or excessive burden to reach VA facilities. These changes are a step towards fixing some of the concerns expressed by Huelskamp to VA Secretary McDonald in February.

Huelskamp gave the following statement on the expanded eligibility:

"While concerns remain about the poor implementation of the Veterans Choice Program, I am encouraged to see the VA moving towards a more common sense approach to determining eligibility. My chief concern is what is best for Veterans. With these changes to the Choice program, more Kansas Veterans will be able to get care in their own communities instead of driving to Wichita, Denver, or Amarillo to receive routine health care check-ups."

Veterans interested in finding out whether they qualify for Choice under expanded eligibility should call 866-606-8198. For casework assistance, please contact the Hutchinson office of Congressman Huelskamp at 620-665-6138.

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