Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Veterans Acquiring Community Care Expect Safe Services Act of 2016” or the “Veterans ACCESS Act”.
Veterans Acquiring Community Care Expect Safe Services Act of 2016
A BILL
To prohibit certain health care providers from providing non-Department health care services to veterans, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Prevention of certain health care providers from providing non-Department health care services to veterans
In general— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall deny or revoke the eligibility of a health care provider to provide non-Department health care services to veterans if the Secretary determines that—
the health care provider was removed from employment with the Department of Veterans Affairs due to conduct that violated a policy of the Department;
the health care provider violated the requirements of a medical license of the health care provider;
the health care provider had a Department certification revoked; or
the health care provider violated a law for which a term of imprisonment of more than one year may be imposed.
Permissive action— The Secretary may deny, revoke, or suspend the eligibility of a health care provider to provide non-Department health care services if the Secretary has reasonable belief that such action is necessary to immediately protect the health, safety, or welfare of veterans and—
the health care provider is under investigation by the medical board of a State in which the health care provider is licensed or practices;
the health care provider has entered into a settlement agreement for a disciplinary charge relating to the practice of medicine by the health care provider; or
the Secretary otherwise determines that such action is appropriate under the circumstances.
Suspension— The Secretary shall suspend the eligibility of a health care provider to provide non-Department health care services to veterans if the health care provider is suspended from serving as a health care provider of the Department.
Non-Department health care services defined— In this section, the term non-Department health care services means—
services provided under subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, at non-Department facilities (as defined in section 1701 of such title);
services provided under section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note);
services purchased through the Medical Community Care account of the Department; or
services purchased with amounts deposited in the Veterans Choice Fund under section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014.