Bilirakis Reviews Choice Program Eligibility Requirements

The Veterans' Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Health yesterday held an important hearing to improve the Choice program for Veterans.

The hearing, entitled, "Choice Consolidation: Evaluating Eligibility Requirements for Care in the Community" gave members the opportunity to question witnesses from the VA and Veteran organizations on eligibility requirements, access to quality care, and Choice options for Veterans.

The Choice program, enacted over a year ago, was created to reduce patient wait times within the VA health system. The program was designed to give eligible Veterans more options for care within the community through Choice cards. However, Veterans across the country are still facing significant delays.

This is in part due to eligibility requirements for the program. Under the Choice consolidation plan VA submitted to Congress last year, eligibility for non-VA care will continue to be dictated by VA wait times, geographic access, and availability of VA services, while eligibility for VA emergency care will be expanded.

"This hearing gave us the opportunity to address one of the many issues with the Choice program's implementation," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. "I have heard from too many Veterans in my district who are facing waiting periods of over 30 days, driving significant distances to medical facilities, and still not receiving the care they have earned and deserve."

"We must work to streamline the eligibility requirements for the VA in general and the Choice program in particular. I will continue to work with my colleagues, Veterans and stakeholders to ensure we make it easier for our Veterans to receive the care they need," Bilirakis added, "We owe it to our heroes."

Learn more about this hearing here and stay updated on future Choice Program hearings here.