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Veterans were promised by the Federal Government that for their service to the country they would be provided a lifetime of health care services, as well as their own health care service network.

The current allocation system for appropriations made to the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical care, known as the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) formula has proved to be an ineffective means of allocating such funds across the 22 national service regions.

Until the VERA formula is changed to ensure a more equitable and adequate distribution of medical care funding within the Department of Veterans Affairs system, providing appropriate access to medical care for the Nation’s veterans must remain a national priority with a method found to provide a safety net that will ensure that veterans have access to the health care they need without undermining the existing health care network of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The President's Task Force to Improve Health Care Delivery to Our Nation's Veterans released its Final Report in May 2003.  It found that due to the number of veterans seeking access to the VA and DoD healthcare system, those with service-connected disabilities and indigent veterans have been faced with diminished access to care.  

The Task Force found the problems they outlined to be unacceptable and offered three recommendations to address this particular situation:

• The Federal Government should provide full funding to ensure that enrolled veterans in Priority Groups 1 through 7 (new) are provided the current comprehensive benefit in accordance with VA's established access standards. Full funding should occur through modifications to the current budget and appropriations process, by using a mandatory funding mechanism, or by some other changes in the process that achieve the desired goal. (Recommendation 5.1)
• VA facilities should be held accountable to meet the VA's access standards for enrolled Priority Groups 1 through 7 (new). In instances where an appointment cannot be offered within the access standard, VA should be required to arrange for care with a non-VA provider, unless the veteran elects to wait for an available appointment within VA. (Recommendation 5.2)
• The present uncertain access status and funding of Priority Group 8 veterans is unacceptable. Individual veterans have not known from year to year if they will be granted access to VA care. The President and Congress should work together to solve this problem. (Recommendation 5.3)

The 21st Century Veterans Equitable Treatment Act (VET-21), H.R. 1346, would address Recommendation 5.2 and, among other things:

• Set standards for appointments using the VA's established performance goals. 
• If the VA cannot meet these standards, the bill would allow a veteran to seek service or treatment at a non-VA medical facility for which the veteran would have otherwise qualified within the VA system.
• Recommend the use of "Smart Card" technology to expedite reimbursements for services and reduce complicated paperwork.
• Remove requirement that for non-VA emergency services, a veteran must have seen a VA doctor within the last 24 months.

Legislative Information

• Text of HR 1346
• Summary of HR 1346
• Current cosponsors of HR 1346
• Current status of HR 1346

Letter to President Bush Urging Consideration of VET-21

Letter to VA Secretary Principi Urging Consideration of VET-21

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