Eight Republican senators have introduced a bill that would make the Veterans Choice Program permanent and expand its eligibility to all veterans enrolled in VA care.
The Care Veterans Deserve bill, drafted by Sen. John McCain of Arizona and others, aims to address issues at the Veterans Affairs Department with appointment wait times and access to care.
Under the bill, any veteran who uses VA health services would be able to use Veterans Choice, a program introduced last year that allows veterans to seek treatment at private health facilities if they live more than 40 miles from a VA facility or have to wait more than a month for an appointment.
VA also would be required to expand pharmacy hours to include nights and weekends, and veterans would be allowed to get treatment at walk-in clinics without preauthorization or a co-payment, according to the draft legislation.
The bill is similar to one introduced last year by McCain, who has sought to find âshort- and long-term solutions to 
problems at VA.”
âMuch more needs to be done to tear down bureaucratic hurdles that are denying veterans the flexible, quality care they have earned and deserve,â McCain said during a press conference Tuesday to introduce the bill. âThis legislation is critical to expanding access to care for working veterans while ensuring every veteran has flexibility and choice.”
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