Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released the following statements after introducing the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, which would help improve veterans' access to health care by reducing the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) role in the community care referral process:

"Under the Biden-Harris administration, veterans were discouraged from seeking community care by layers of bureaucratic red tape and a lack of accessibility to their local medical providers," said Senator Blackburn. "The Veterans Health Care Freedom Act would right this wrong by empowering veterans to directly schedule appointments at non-VA medical facilities, which will remove unnecessary barriers and provide veterans with greater autonomy to access the care they need."

"Our veterans should be able to see a doctor as quickly and easily as possible," said Senator Tuberville. "Taking care of our veterans is a sacred duty. They should have access to the best medical care in the country. Streamlining the VA community care program is a commonsense way we can increase access to care and cut through red tape. I'm proud to join this legislation to eliminate the community care referral process and make life easier for those who have served."

"Veterans must have access to community health care facilities. This legislation gives them more choices for medical care and helps avoid long wait times at VA facilities," said Senator Wicker. "By enabling community care, transportation burdens will be reduced for veterans who live in rural areas. These changes will greatly improve the lives of our nation's heroes."

"For too many veterans, especially those in small towns and rural communities, barriers to access and bureaucratic red tape have stood in the way when seeking medical care," said Senator Sheehy. "Our nation has a solemn responsibility to take care of those who have put their lives on the line for our freedoms, and I am proud to join my Senate colleagues on this important legislation that will increase health care options and make it easier for our veterans to seek the quality care they deserve."

"America's veterans deserve access to quality health care and the freedom to make decisions involving their health without unnecessary government interference," said Senator Cruz. "The Veterans Health Care Freedom Act gives back those choices, cutting through bureaucratic red tape that often delays or denies access to life-saving care. This bill honors our commitment to those who have served and ensures they receive the respect and care they have earned."

Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Mike Rounds (R- S.D.) also co-sponsored this legislation. It was introduced in the House by Representative Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.).

BACKGROUND:

• The VA MISSION Act was enacted in 2018 to enhance veterans' access to healthcare by expanding their options to receive care from community providers outside the VA system.

• This landmark legislation aimed to streamline and consolidate community care programs, establish clear eligibility criteria, and ensure timely access to care, reducing both wait times and travel burdens for veterans.

• However, in the years following its passage, veterans have frequently reported challenges in obtaining referrals for community care. Despite the VA MISSION Act's objectives, evidence suggests that the Biden administration's VA introduced extensive bureaucratic obstacles, discouraging veterans from seeking community care in favor of retaining them within the VA's direct care system. These actions have undermined the intent of the VA MISSION Act by creating unnecessary delays and complexities in the referral process.

• Currently, veterans must meet certain eligibility criteria, and the VA must approve the provider referral to seek care in non-VA facilities under the Veterans Community Care Program. The Veterans Health Care Freedom Act would remove the VA from the referral process to allow veterans to seek care where it is most convenient.

VETERANS HEALTH CARE FREEDOM ACT:

Specifically, the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act would:

• Create a three-year pilot program within the VA Center for Innovation Care and Payment to improve veterans' access to health care in the free market;

• Require that the pilot program be carried out in at least four Veteran Integrated Service Networks (VISN);

• Improve access to free market health care by allowing veterans to access primary, specialty, and mental health care outside of their corresponding VISN and at non-VA facilities;

• Require the VA to give veterans information about eligibility, cost sharing, treatments, and providers so that they can make informed decisions with respect to selection of primary and specialty care providers and other available treatments;

• Make the pilot program permanent nationwide four years after enactment of the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act;

• Require the VA to submit reports to House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees on the implementation and results of the pilot program, as well as the final design; and

• Fund the pilot program using appropriations otherwise made available to the Veterans Health Administration.

Click here for bill text.

https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/1/issues/veterans/blackburn-colleagues-introduce-veterans-health-care-freedom-act