NOLA.com - Veterans' Agency Changes Mileage Calculations for Vets to Access Government Funded Private Medical Care

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by Bruce Alpert

Bowing to congressional pressure, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has agreed to change the calculation used to determine if a veterans lives far enough away from a VA health facility to qualify for federally funded private health care.

Previously, the agency had used a straight line measurement to determine if the nearest VA facility was located within 40 miles from a veteran's home. But now the agency will calculate eligibility via driving distance.

"VA has worked very quickly to implement the Veterans Choice Program and we appreciate the constructive feedback shared by veterans and our partners to help us improve service to Veterans," said Secretary Robert McDonald. "We've determined that changing the distance calculation will help ensure more veterans have access to care when and where they want it."

Reps. Ralph Abraham, R-Alto, and Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, applauded the move, though both say more needs to be done.

"The change to this program will directly benefit veterans in rural areas because it will expand the number of health care facilities where they can receive treatment," Abraham said. "Today's announcement is a good first step in making sure the Veterans Choice Program is working for those who need it most. No veteran should be forced to drive hundreds of miles just to see a doctor."

Said Boustany: "Veterans in underserved areas like South Louisiana are stuck driving hours away to seek specialty care instead of being granted the flexibility to seek treatment from private providers in their hometown. That's Washington bureaucracy at work. While I'm glad the VA has taken this step to increase eligibility for the Veterans' Choice Card, improving access for thousands of veterans in South Louisiana, we can do even better."

Boustany said he introduced the Local Care for Veterans Act, which would allow veterans to seek care from local non-VA providers "that will solve this problem because these men and women deserve choice and flexibility in making healthcare decisions."

The Veterans Choice Program was authorized by Congress last year as part of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to improve care after reports that some veterans had long waits to see doctors and nurses, and that some VA facilities had covered up the long waits.

"While I am encouraged by the announced changes to the Veterans Choice Program, it doesn't go as far as it needs to go," said Abraham, a member of the House Veterans Committee. "We must ensure those in the VA system have access to adequate care facilities that can provide the specific services the veteran may need. Further expanding the facility options for the veteran can go a long way in making sure our heroes get the care they need."

Boustany and Abraham are physicians.

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