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Managing America: Veteran Matters

TheWeekInCongress.com (TM)

Week Ending August 1, 2008

H.R.1527 To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow highly rural veterans enrolled in the health system of the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive covered health services through providers other than those of the Department, and for other purposes.

Veterans seeking medical attention are generally required to get it at a VA Medical Center or satellite facility. However, rural veterans may be quite a distance from the nearest care. The bill aims to change that by allowing those veterans who live more that 60 miles from the nearest VA facility to elect to receive health care from a non-VA health care provider and prescriptions from non-VA sources. The 60 mile limit applies to a facility that provides primary care. The distance to an acute care hospital must be 120 miles and 240 miles from a tertiary care facility with come conditions. The provision applies without distance restrictions if the trip creates hardship or is not in the best interest of the veteran.

Sponsor:  Rep. Jerry Moran (KS-1^st)

Vote: Passed House September 10, 2008 417 to 0 RC 578

Cost to the taxpayers:

Earmark Certification:  

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