(Photo: NIH Clinical Center)
Congress is reviewing legislation that will make it easier for Veterans to access health care outside the VA. The Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) in December, would remove pre-approval requirements for non-VA medical services, giving Veterans more options when selecting health care providers.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced a companion bill in the Senate, which has received support from several Republican lawmakers. If passed, the legislation would enable Veterans to schedule appointments with private clinicians without first needing the VA to determine whether the service is available at a VA facility nearby.
Interest in easing access to non-VA health care has grown among lawmakers as more Veterans seek treatment outside the VA system. Currently, approximately 40% of Veteran medical care is provided through community care programs. Demand for these services continues to rise each year, prompting legislators to push for reforms that would reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
The Senate bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), is intended to give Veterans more autonomy over their health care decisions.
“The VA community care program must increase access to care and cut through red tape,” Tuberville said.
Under the current system, Veterans seeking care outside the VA must meet specific eligibility criteria and receive pre-approval from the agency. This process can lead to long wait times, making it difficult for Veterans to access timely treatment. Lawmakers supporting the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act argue that these delays are unnecessary and discourage Veterans from seeking timely medical attention.
The proposed legislation includes a three-year pilot program to allow Veterans to visit private providers without prior VA authorization. The program would be implemented in at least four Veteran Integrated Service Networks, VISN, with plans to expand nationwide if successful. The VA would be required to provide Veterans with detailed information on eligibility, cost-sharing, and provider options to facilitate informed decision-making.
Funding for the pilot program would come from the existing VA budget, which stands at $369 billion for fiscal year 2025. Lawmakers anticipate that the program will ultimately become a permanent nationwide program, granting Veterans broader access to private-sector health care.
While previous efforts to pass similar legislation stalled, the growing demand for community care has strengthened bipartisan interest in reforming the VA’s referral process. Supporters argue that the changes will provide Veterans with the freedom to seek care more efficiently while reducing transportation burdens, particularly for those in rural areas.
“Veterans must have access to community health care facilities. This legislation gives them more choices for medical care and helps avoid long wait times at VA facilities,” Wicker said.
With increasing frustration over VA bureaucracy and lengthy delays, lawmakers believe the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act is a necessary step toward ensuring Veterans receive the care they have earned. The bill now awaits further deliberation in Congress, with advocates hopeful that it will lead to lasting improvements in Veterans’ health care access.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
