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Improving Veterans' Healthcare Access: New Standards and Programs.

This act aims to significantly improve veterans' access to healthcare, both within and outside Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. It introduces new access standards for appointments, facilitates online scheduling, and increases oversight of services provided by external providers. The goal is to ensure faster and more accessible medical assistance for veterans, especially in rural areas and for mental health care.
Key points
Reduced wait times and travel for appointments: The act sets new limits for driving time (30 minutes for primary care, 60 minutes for specialty care) and wait times (20 days for primary, 28 days for specialty) for veterans seeking care outside VA facilities.
Easier online appointment scheduling: A pilot program will be launched allowing veterans to self-schedule, modify, and cancel appointments with external healthcare providers via a website or mobile app.
Increased oversight of external providers: Stricter requirements for credentialing verification and continuous monitoring of non-VA providers will be implemented to ensure the safety and quality of services.
Telehealth expansion and rural veteran support: The act mandates a strategic plan for telehealth development and an analysis of barriers to care for veterans in rural areas.
Mental health care improvements: An analysis will be conducted on expanding access to evidence-based treatments for treatment-resistant depression and assessing the availability of psychotherapeutic interventions.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_1863
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Process start date: 2021-05-26
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Guaranteeing Healthcare Access to Personnel Who Served Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_1863.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-05-26.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Reduced wait times and travel for appointments: The act sets new limits for driving time (30 minutes for primary care, 60 minutes for specialty care) and wait times (20 days for primary, 28 days for specialty) for veterans seeking care outside VA facilities.
  • Easier online appointment scheduling: A pilot program will be launched allowing veterans to self-schedule, modify, and cancel appointments with external healthcare providers via a website or mobile app.
  • Increased oversight of external providers: Stricter requirements for credentialing verification and continuous monitoring of non-VA providers will be implemented to ensure the safety and quality of services.
  • Telehealth expansion and rural veteran support: The act mandates a strategic plan for telehealth development and an analysis of barriers to care for veterans in rural areas.
  • Mental health care improvements: An analysis will be conducted on expanding access to evidence-based treatments for treatment-resistant depression and assessing the availability of psychotherapeutic interventions.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-29.

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