The House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs yesterday held a joint hearing on progress to implement the VA MISSION Act of 2018, AHA-supported legislation that will consolidate the Department of Veterans Affairs' community care programs into a single permanent program. Testifying on the new program, which must start by June 6 under the law, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said timely payment to community providers was a priority. “To this end, VA is moving away from paper claims and requiring providers to submit electronic claims in most cases through a new claims processing system,” he said. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., ranking member of the Senate committee, and Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., urged the secretary to brief the panel on the proposed access standards for the program. Wilkie said he would do so after he briefed the president and had his decision. “My objective is to ensure veterans receive care where and when they need it and to ensure VA remains on the leading edge for access and quality of health care,” he said.

Related News Articles

Headline
The House July 3 voted 218-214 to pass the final version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), which enacts many of President Trump’s legislative…
Headline
The Senate narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) on July 1 by a 50-50 tally, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.…
Headline
The AHA June 29 sent a letter to senators urging them to amend the budget reconciliation bill before its final passage in the Senate. The Senate version of the…
Headline
The AHA June 16 released a fact sheet with analysis on the impact to rural patients and hospitals from proposed Medicaid cuts by Congress. The analysis found…
Headline
Data from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shows that health care cuts under…
Headline
The House June 4 passed the AHA-supported SUPPORT Act (H.R. 2483) by a 366-57 vote. The legislation reauthorizes key prevention, treatment and recovery…