At the end of last week, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., the vice chairman of the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee, teamed up with four other members of Congress to introduce a proposal giving veterans more access to health-services outside the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Bilirakis, who is the chief sponsor, joined U.S. Reps. Joey Arrington, R-Texas, Mike Coffman, R-Col., Annie Kuster, D-NH, and Scott Peters, D-Calif., to unveil the “VA Community Care Enhancement Act” which creates a pilot program expanding VA care to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in five areas. Regulated by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), FQHCs are non-profit groups focused on underserved areas. All five members of Congress noted that relying more on FQHCs will help improve health-care for veterans, especially as the VA continues to struggle in providing access and with its service.
“Community health centers in my district have a proven track record of delivering outstanding, comprehensive health care in a cost effective manner,” said Bilirakis when he introduced the bill. “They offer a wide array of services including primary care, dental services, mental health and substance abuse treatment. They are an example of what is working in our health care system, and I believe they should be expanded. If veterans are unable to receive the quality of care they deserve within the VA system, I want them to have the choice to take advantage of the value that community health centers offer without encountering bureaucratic barriers. This bill will help ensure that goal, and I look forward to its passage.”
“Veterans in New Hampshire and across the country have faced unacceptable barriers in access to care, especially in rural communities,” said Kuster. “Expanding access to care outside of the VA through the Choice Program was a step in the right direction but unfortunately Choice has not delivered effectively for all veterans. Our legislation would explore innovative new ways to connect veterans with care providers by establishing partnerships between VA and FQHC that are already providing quality care in local communities. I’m hopeful that this can serve as a model across the country so that we can ensure all veterans are able to access the services and care they deserve.”
The National Association of Community Health Centers lined up behind the proposal.
“We ask a lot from our men and women in uniform, and Community Health Centers feel a solemn obligation to provide them with the health care that they deserve upon their return home,” said Tom Van Coverden, the CEO of the National Association of Community Health Centers. “We applaud Representatives Kuster, Bilirakis, Peters, and Coffman for their bipartisan effort to continue to improve access to America’s warfighters. Community Health Centers enthusiastically accept this responsibility.”
The bill was sent to the House Veterans Affairs Committee. So far, there is no counterpart over in the U.S. Senate.
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