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Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

USA118th CongressS-1545| Senate 
| Updated: 7/12/2023
Marsha Blackburn

Marsha Blackburn

Republican Senator

Tennessee

Cosponsors (3)
Tommy Tuberville (Republican)Mike Rounds (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Veterans Health Care Freedom Act This bill requires the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program to improve the ability of veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system to access hospital care, medical services, and extended care services through the covered care system by providing such veterans with the ability to choose health care providers. Under the bill, the covered care system includes VA medical facilities, health care providers participating in the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP), and eligible entities or providers that have entered into a Veterans Care Agreement. A veteran participating in the program may elect to receive care at any provider in the covered care system. The pilot program removes certain requirements (e.g., location of the veteran) to access care at VA and non-VA facilities. After four years, the bill permanently phases out the requirements for accessing care under the VCCP and Veterans Care Agreements and requires the VA to provide such care under the same conditions of the pilot program. Additionally, after four years, veterans may receive care at a VA medical facility regardless of whether the facility is in the same Veterans Integrated Service Network as the veteran.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-3603
Veterans Health Care Freedom Act
May 10, 2023
Introduced in Senate
May 10, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 26, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-3176
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jul 12, 2023
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 118-217.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-3603
    Veterans Health Care Freedom Act


  • May 10, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 10, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • May 26, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-3176
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • July 12, 2023
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 118-217.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 118-3176: Veterans Health Care Freedom Act
Congressional oversightHealth care coverage and accessHealth facilities and institutionsHospital careVeterans' medical care

Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

USA118th CongressS-1545| Senate 
| Updated: 7/12/2023
Veterans Health Care Freedom Act This bill requires the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program to improve the ability of veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system to access hospital care, medical services, and extended care services through the covered care system by providing such veterans with the ability to choose health care providers. Under the bill, the covered care system includes VA medical facilities, health care providers participating in the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP), and eligible entities or providers that have entered into a Veterans Care Agreement. A veteran participating in the program may elect to receive care at any provider in the covered care system. The pilot program removes certain requirements (e.g., location of the veteran) to access care at VA and non-VA facilities. After four years, the bill permanently phases out the requirements for accessing care under the VCCP and Veterans Care Agreements and requires the VA to provide such care under the same conditions of the pilot program. Additionally, after four years, veterans may receive care at a VA medical facility regardless of whether the facility is in the same Veterans Integrated Service Network as the veteran.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-3603
Veterans Health Care Freedom Act
May 10, 2023
Introduced in Senate
May 10, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 26, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-3176
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jul 12, 2023
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 118-217.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-3603
    Veterans Health Care Freedom Act


  • May 10, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 10, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • May 26, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-3176
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • July 12, 2023
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 118-217.
Marsha Blackburn

Marsha Blackburn

Republican Senator

Tennessee

Cosponsors (3)
Tommy Tuberville (Republican)Mike Rounds (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 118-3176: Veterans Health Care Freedom Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightHealth care coverage and accessHealth facilities and institutionsHospital careVeterans' medical care