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Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

USA119th CongressHR-71| House 
| Updated: 2/6/2025
Andy Biggs

Andy Biggs

Republican Representative

Arizona

Cosponsors (13)
Paul A. Gosar (Republican)Jefferson Van Drew (Republican)Elijah Crane (Republican)Thomas P. Tiffany (Republican)Michael A. Rulli (Republican)Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican)Anna Paulina Luna (Republican)Daniel Webster (Republican)Harriet M. Hageman (Republican)Mary E. Miller (Republican)Mark Harris (Republican)Josh Brecheen (Republican)Vern Buchanan (Republican)

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act," directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement a three-year pilot program aimed at enhancing eligible veterans' access to medical care. The program, managed by the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment, will allow veterans to choose their healthcare providers for hospital care, medical services, and extended care services within a defined covered care system . The pilot will be conducted in at least four Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), encompassing diverse rural and urban locations. A central feature of the pilot program is the removal of existing requirements that often limit veterans' access to care. Specifically, it allows veterans to receive care at any VA medical facility, regardless of its VISN, and at non-Department facilities without certain restrictions related to community care eligibility criteria. Participating veterans will have the freedom to elect any provider within the covered care system, including selecting a primary care provider to coordinate their care and referring to specialty and mental health care providers as needed. The Secretary must also provide comprehensive information to veterans to facilitate informed decision-making regarding their care options. Following the three-year pilot, which begins one year after the bill's enactment, the provisions allowing veterans to choose their healthcare providers and removing community care restrictions are slated to become permanent for all eligible veterans four years after enactment. This permanent change will apply to care furnished through the Veterans Community Care Program and Veterans Care Agreements, and will also allow veterans to access any VA facility nationwide. The bill mandates quarterly and annual reports on the pilot's implementation and results, but specifies that no additional appropriations are authorized, requiring the program to be carried out using existing funds available to the Veterans Health Administration.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2910
Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3176
Veterans Health Care Freedom Act
Jan 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Feb 6, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
May 21, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-219
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2910
    Veterans Health Care Freedom Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3176
    Veterans Health Care Freedom Act


  • January 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 3, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • February 6, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • May 21, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-219
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

Armed Forces and National Security

Congressional oversightHealth care coverage and accessHealth facilities and institutionsHospital careVeterans' medical care

Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

USA119th CongressHR-71| House 
| Updated: 2/6/2025
This bill, titled the "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act," directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement a three-year pilot program aimed at enhancing eligible veterans' access to medical care. The program, managed by the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment, will allow veterans to choose their healthcare providers for hospital care, medical services, and extended care services within a defined covered care system . The pilot will be conducted in at least four Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), encompassing diverse rural and urban locations. A central feature of the pilot program is the removal of existing requirements that often limit veterans' access to care. Specifically, it allows veterans to receive care at any VA medical facility, regardless of its VISN, and at non-Department facilities without certain restrictions related to community care eligibility criteria. Participating veterans will have the freedom to elect any provider within the covered care system, including selecting a primary care provider to coordinate their care and referring to specialty and mental health care providers as needed. The Secretary must also provide comprehensive information to veterans to facilitate informed decision-making regarding their care options. Following the three-year pilot, which begins one year after the bill's enactment, the provisions allowing veterans to choose their healthcare providers and removing community care restrictions are slated to become permanent for all eligible veterans four years after enactment. This permanent change will apply to care furnished through the Veterans Community Care Program and Veterans Care Agreements, and will also allow veterans to access any VA facility nationwide. The bill mandates quarterly and annual reports on the pilot's implementation and results, but specifies that no additional appropriations are authorized, requiring the program to be carried out using existing funds available to the Veterans Health Administration.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2910
Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3176
Veterans Health Care Freedom Act
Jan 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Feb 6, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
May 21, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-219
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2910
    Veterans Health Care Freedom Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3176
    Veterans Health Care Freedom Act


  • January 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 3, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • February 6, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • May 21, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-219
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Andy Biggs

Andy Biggs

Republican Representative

Arizona

Cosponsors (13)
Paul A. Gosar (Republican)Jefferson Van Drew (Republican)Elijah Crane (Republican)Thomas P. Tiffany (Republican)Michael A. Rulli (Republican)Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican)Anna Paulina Luna (Republican)Daniel Webster (Republican)Harriet M. Hageman (Republican)Mary E. Miller (Republican)Mark Harris (Republican)Josh Brecheen (Republican)Vern Buchanan (Republican)

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightHealth care coverage and accessHealth facilities and institutionsHospital careVeterans' medical care