New bill could change healthcare for veterans
Big changes may be coming to healthcare for veterans. A bill now on President Trump’s desk called the VA Mission Act would make it easier for doctors to refer veterans to private doctors.
Veterans coming in and out of the Colorado Springs PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom Outpatient Clinic said they liked the idea.
Steve Lehman, a Navy, and Marine Corps veteran said, “there’s a lot the VA has to offer but it’d be nice if we had a choice.”
Shawn Brown, an Army veteran said, “if you’re not able to be facilitated where your primary care is, I think you should have the option see care elsewhere.”
The bill gives specific parameters to doctors who are considering referring their patients to private practices. Some of them include travel issues, long wait time in between appointments, or if the doctor and patient both agree seeing a private doctor would be in the best medical interest.
Read the full bill here.
A concern for Army veteran, Jack Gustin is that he’ll eventually have to pay out of pocket if he starts to seek private medical care under the VA Mission Act. He says, “as long it’s the VA and the VA covers you 100 percent, you know you’re covered. When you have to start going to private contractors, some coverage may be lost.”
It’s now up to President Trump whether or not he’ll sign the bill. It passed with an overwhelming approval in both the U.S. House and Senate and was supported by several veteran organizations.
