Today, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Congressman Matt Rosendale (R-MT), and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) are reintroducing the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act. This legislation grants veterans the option of seeking non-VA health care providers in their communities by removing the VA out of the community care referral process. Specifically, this allows veterans to access primary, specialty, and mental health care in the private sector and outside of their corresponding Veterans Integrated Service Networks. It additionally requires the VA to provide veterans with information about eligibility, cost sharing, treatment options, and providers so that veterans are able to make informed decisions. This proposed model mirrors the United States’ Urgent Care system and is largely based on recommendations from a congressionally appointed commission. “Our nation’s veterans make many sacrifices in their fight to protect our freedoms and we must uphold the promise we made to provide them quality health care. Often, veterans experience significant delays and unnecessary bureaucracy when seeking care through the VA health care system. My bill frees them of those challenges, opening access to community health care options to those who need and want them. I will always have our veterans’ backs and urge my colleagues to move this legislation forward,” said Congressman Biggs.
“Tennessee is home to over 400,000 veterans, who deserve the very best care our nation has to offer and the freedom to choose the care that best fits their needs. We should eliminate the layers of bureaucracy and expedite access to Community Care for all veterans. The Veterans Health Care Freedom Act would create a three-year pilot program within the VA that allows veterans to schedule necessary appointments at non-VA medical facilities and gives them access to information about eligibility, cost sharing, treatments, and providers – so that they are empowered to make informed decisions,” said Senator Blackburn. “It’s simple – our nation’s heroes should have the option to choose the health care provider that best meets their needs, even when that means taking their benefits outside of the VA to get that care. It needs to be up to the veteran, not the bureaucracy. Sen. Blackburn and Rep. Biggs’ bill would make health care choice a reality for veterans, rather than an exception,” said Concerned Veterans for America Executive Director Russ Duerstine. Cosponsors of the House version of the legislation include: Rep. Bob Good (R-VA), Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), Rep. The legislation may be read here .