Huelskamp's Concerns on Veterans Choice Program Addressed by Veterans' Affairs

Press Conference

Congressman Tim Huelskamp (KS-01) announced that today the Department of Veteran Affairs has agreed to move forward with implementing a common-sense fix to eligibility requirements under the Choice Program for the "40-mile rule." Huelskamp has been a vocal critic of how eligibility in rural areas had been determined with a strict 40-mile radius requirement instead of calculating eligibility through a more practical driving distance measurement for non-VA health services. This move will make the VA policy for Choice eligibility more understandable and expand health care options for our Veterans. Congressman Huelskamp issued the following statement:

"While this is only a small step expanding health care choices for our nation's Veterans, I am pleased to see the VA's willingness to listen to Congress and correct this nonsensical interpretation that I brought to Secretary McDonald's attention in February. This move makes the 40-mile rule easier to understand for our nation's Veterans. I will continue to fight for a VA that focuses on getting Veterans the care they have earned, not restricting their care to VA care, even when that care takes months or years to obtain."

In committee hearings, Congressman Huelskamp has highlighted stories of Kansan Veterans being forced to drive hundreds of miles to get their care at a VA facility, instead of being allowed to get care in a convenient local hospital. He has met with Veterans groups and made statements supporting more choice for Veterans about their care, including expanding the interpretation of the 40-mile rule.

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