1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Veterans Need Timely Access to Care Act”.
Veterans Need Timely Access to Care Act
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that veterans who experience extended waiting times for appointments at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs may receive care at non-Department facilities.
2. Expansion of fee-basis care by Department of Veterans Affairs for patients who experience extended waiting times
Section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) as subsections (c) through (e), respectively;
by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection (b):
“(b) As authorized by section 1710 of this title, the Secretary shall enter into contracts with such non-Department facilities as may be necessary in order to furnish hospital care or medical services to any veteran enrolled in the patient enrollment system under section 1705 of this title who—
“(1) has waited—
“(A) seven days or longer for an appointment for primary care in a Department facility; or
“(B) 14 days or longer for an appointment for speciality care in a Department facility; and
“(2) elects to receive such care in a non-Department facility.”
in subsection (c), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by inserting “or (b)” after “subsection (a)”.