H.R. 2601 — what changed

Section 101(b)(2) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended—

“(E)

changed “(i) requires an organ transplant;or bone marrow transplant; and

changed “(ii) resides more than 100 miles from a transplant center operated by the Department; and“(ii)

changed “(iii) is seeking, under subsection (a), hospital “(I) has, in the opinion of the primary health care or medical services related provider of the veteran, a medically compelling reason to travel outside the required organ region of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, established under section 372 of the National Organ Transplantation Act (Public Law 98–507; 42 U.S.C. 274), in which the veteran resides to receive such transplant at a transplant center—medical facility of the Department; or

changed “(I) located within 100 miles of the residence “(II) faces an unusual or excessive burden in receiving such transplant at a medical facility of the veteran;Department, including—

changed “(II) operated by an entity that is described in subsection (a)(1)(B) that has entered into an agreement with the Secretary under subsection (d).”“(aa) geographical challenges;

added “(bb) environmental factors, including roads that are not accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous weather;

added “(cc) a medical condition of the veteran that affects the ability to travel; or

added “(dd) other factors the Secretary determines appropriate, including the preference of the veteran to receive such transplant at a non-Department facility.”