President Trump has signed the VA Mission Act, sweeping Veterans Administration reform legislation that, among other stipulations, consolidates multiple community care programs (including VA Choice, funding for which ended May 31) into a single entity and ensures veterans receive timely, appropriate health care without service lapses.
Section 101 of the act establishes "the Veterans Community Care Program to provide care in the community to veterans who are enrolled in the VA healthcare system or otherwise entitled to VA care." According to a summary of the new act, the VA is required to:
- Ensure the scheduling of medical appointments in a timely manner.
- Ensure continuity of care and services.
- Coordinate coverage for veterans who utilize care outside of a region from where they reside.
- Ensure veterans do not experience a lapse in health care services.
This section requires access to community care if VA does not offer the care or services the veteran requires, VA does not operate a full-service medical facility in the state a veteran resides, the veteran was eligible for care in the community under the 40-mile rule in the Veterans Choice Program and meets certain other criteria, VA is not able to furnish care within the designated access standards established by VA, or a veteran and the veteran's referring clinician agree that furnishing care or services in the community would be in the best medical interest of the veteran.
The act does not stipulate which provider type(s) can provide community care; the summary notes that section 102 requires the VA “to enter into Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs)[with community health care providers] that are not subject to competition or other requirements associated with federal contracts, so that they can more easily meet veterans’ demands for care in the community.” Per Dr. Anthony Lisi, VA director of chiropractic services, DCs are eligible, as they were under VA Choice. Currently, 70 VA health care facilities staff DCs, and chiropractic is a medical benefit available to all eligible veterans.
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