House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs discusses community care

The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs recently held a hearing to examine the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ (VA) plans to consolidate non-department community care programs under a single new Veterans Choice Program.

The plan includes streamlining eligibility criteria for all community care, and optimizing referral and authorization systems to minimize delays and eliminate unnecessary administrative burdens. The plan also will build a network within VA and non-VA community providers, including a transition toward value-based payments to align with the health care industry.

The hearing, held Nov. 18, was the latest progress report on the ongoing efforts between the VA and Congress to improve veteran health care delivery by eliminating delays and access issues. As well, the VA Commission on Care—to which Joyce Johnson, DO, was appointed by President Obama—continues to develop its recommendations as part of these transformation efforts.