Dive Brief:
- The US Department of Veterans Affairs has announced it will revise a rule that prohibits veterans from receiving private medical care if they live within 40 miles of a VA facility.
- The original rule measured mileage "as the crow flies." The new rule will measure mileage in driving distance.
- The revision to the rule was formally announced at a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee meeting on Tuesday.
Dive Insight:
The rule is part of the VA's "choice cards" program. Critics of the rule said the VA's initial interpretation was too strict and was keeping patients from receiving needed care. "This is a common-sense adjustment to a rule that has the potential to significantly impact the success of the Veterans Choice Program," Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and ranking member Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said in a joint statement.
House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL) told The Hill he hoped the 40 miles could be removed or decreased based on the number of people who are currently using the choice program.
"The intent of the law is to give choice to the veteran and anything that the secretary can do to liberalize the provision of fee-for-care service is a good thing," he said.