Blackburn, Rosen Introduce Legislation to Cut Red Tape for Providers to Take Care of America’s Service Members and Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced legislation to cut red tape by eliminating duplicative credentialing and privileging when medical providers move between the U.S. Department of War (DoW) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This bill would strengthen health care delivery for service members and veterans.

"Health care providers shouldn't be hindered by bureaucratic red tape when caring for the men and women who have bravely served our nation," said Senator Blackburn. "Our bipartisan legislation would end unnecessary duplication so that medical providers can move between the DoW and VA more quickly, ensuring service members and veterans get the high-quality care they need without delay."

"Health care providers who work at the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense do critical work in caring for the men and women who serve and have served our nation," said Senator Rosen. "I'm proud to help introduce this bipartisan bill to remove bureaucratic red tape and allow medical providers to more easily practice between the two departments to improve care for veterans and servicemembers. As long as I'm in the Senate, I'll always work to make sure everyone who has worn our nation's uniform has the care, support, and hope they deserve."

U.S. Representatives Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-N.C.) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.) led the introduction of companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

BACKGROUND

• Credentialing is the process of confirming a medical provider's education, training, licenses, certifications, and professional history. Privileging determines what specific medical services that provider is authorized to perform based on their qualifications and experience.
  
  
• Currently, the DoW and VA use separate credentialing and privileging systems that do not transfer between Departments. As a result, when a provider moves from a DoW to a VA facility, or vice versa, they must often repeat the entire credentialing and privileging process from the beginning.

• This duplication can take several months, during which qualified providers are unable to see patients, facilities remain understaffed, and access to care is delayed. These delays limit workforce flexibility, hinder medical readiness, and prevent DoW and VA from quickly sharing providers during staffing shortages or high-demand periods.
  
  
• This bill would direct the U.S. Secretary of War and U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to jointly move toward a single, uniform credentialing and privileging system for medical providers used by both Departments.

Click here for bill text.

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