Improving Veterans' Access to Medical Care

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Todd Platts (PA-19) helped introduce bipartisan legislation this week aimed at improving veterans' access to health care by making it easier for them to be treated by private doctors and other caregivers. The legislation, the "Veterans Health Access Act," was sponsored by U.S. Congressman Ron Barber (AZ-8).

The Veterans Health Access Act addresses two issues that confront thousands of veterans nationwide: the limited options they have in addressing their health care needs and ensuring that combat-injured service members have continued access to vital medical services. Congressman Platts, now serving in his final term in Congress, is a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and has been a strong and vocal advocate of our men and women in uniform and their families.

"Our men and women in the military stepped up when this nation needed their service," said Congressman Barber. "We as a nation now must fulfill our promises to these veterans by making it as easy as possible for them to receive the care they need without excessive waits or travel."

"Our nation has no higher calling than ensuring that our men and women in uniform who have served in harm's way receive the highest quality medical treatment," said Platts. "By providing veterans with more health care options and giving combat-injured service members full access to Department of Defense medical services, this legislation helps our nation fulfill its duty to these American heroes by helping them lead meaningful and productive lives post-injury."

Veterans often have trouble gaining access to Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and care. Veterans in rural areas often have to travel great distances to access the VA care they need, while veterans in urban areas potentially face crowded facilities and long wait times. Additionally, veterans often require care that is simply unavailable at VA facilities or could also be provided at an alternative or private facility. Currently, permission for veterans to seek treatment by private doctors or at private facilities is granted by the VA on a case-by-case basis for so-called "fee-basis care."

The Veterans Health Access Act requires that the VA give primary consideration to the best interests of the veteran in determining where and by whom veterans are treated. That determination would have to take into account distance, wait time and quality of care, thereby allowing more veterans to qualify for fee-basis care. The legislation also requires that the VA respond to a veteran's request for fee-basis care within 30 days.

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