American veterans are being denied access to timely medical care at facilities across the country, suggests a recent interim report published by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General, which resulted in the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. To ensure our veterans have access to the care they have earned and deserve, Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, has become an original cosponsor of the Veteran Access to Care Act. Authored by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller, R-Fla., the bipartisan legislation is expected to be considered on the House Floor this week.

“This legislation is a first step toward giving our nation’s veterans a health care system worthy of their service and sacrifice,” Upton said. “The Veteran Access to Care Act would put in place a number of reforms to immediately expand veteran access to quality care outside of the VA until a thorough investigation is conducted and long-term reforms can be made.”

The Veteran Access to Care Act would take a number actions to expand veteran access to medical care outside the VA health system, review the quality of care provided in VA medical facilities, and remove incentives that may encourage bad bookkeeping at the expense of patient care:

• Require VA, for two years after enactment, to offer a non-VA care authorization to any enrolled veteran who resides more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility, who has waited longer than the time goals established by VA for a medical appointment, or who has been notified by VA that an appointment is not available within the Department’s current wait-time goals;

• Require VA to utilize existing contracts to the greatest extent possible, ensure that the non-VA care authorization encompasses a complete episode of care, and to submit a quarterly report to Congress on the care provided under this authority;

• Require VA, for two years after enactment, to reimburse non-VA providers at the greater of the following: the rate of reimbursement under VA; the rate of reimbursement under Medicare; or the rate of reimbursement under TRICARE;

• Require VA to enter into a contract with an independent entity or entities to conduct an assessment of the health care provided in VA medical facilities; report the findings and recommendations of the assessment to Congress; and submit a report on the assessment, including an action plan and timeline for full implementation of the assessment’s recommendations, to Congress; and,

• Eliminate performance awards and bonuses for all VA employees for the next two years.

Upton was part of bipartisan group of House Members who sent a letter to Acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson last week, urging the Department to immediately expand fee-basis care to any veteran awaiting medical care in the VA health system. Fee-basis care allows veterans to see private-sector medical providers and is currently used by the VA on a limited basis to help address capacity shortfalls.

Southwest Michigan veterans having difficulties with their benefits or in seeking medical care are encouraged to contact Upton’s constituent service offices in Kalamazoo (269-385-0039) and St. Joseph/Benton Harbor (269-982-1986) for immediate assistance.

“My office has been in regular contact with veterans, Veterans Service Officers, and VA staff in Michigan to ensure our veterans are receiving the care they have earned and deserve.  If you are a veteran and are concerned about the care you’re receiving, please contact my office.  As Congress continues to examine the VA and the how veterans are best served, I will continue to listen to veterans in Michigan for their input.”