VA Mission Act

Earlier this month, President Trump announced another change for the Department of Veteran Affairs called the VA Mission Act. This bill is another portion of his promise to make much-needed reforms for the VA. The new legislation will change private health care to make it readily available to Veterans.

This new bill in full is titled VA Maintaining Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act, or VA Mission Act. The additions this bill provides will pave the way for considerable developments in the VA health care system. Through the Mission Act, the VA will have more funds to hire much-needed employees, give Vets a choice to choose where they want treatment, and continue to update the system.

The previous system named the Choice program was anything but a choice for most Veterans. Veterans were forced to drive hours and sometimes wait in line for days before they could see a doctor at the VA office.

The Bill

The goal of the VA Mission Act is to create a difference in the quality of care given to Veterans. Those goals will be accomplished in both the immediate time frame and some which will take a little longer. With the main update for this bill is Veterans having the ability to visit approved private doctors. Some examples of the long-term goals are education and training for current VSO’s, the hire of additional agents, and create a system to shorten wait times for Veterans.

The addition to current VA facilities will include updates, the building of additional offices, and possible closure of those which are deemed necessary.

Another part of this bill will include a budget to help with the expense of an in-home caregiver. This benefit was previously only an option for post 9/11 Veterans.

In an interview with USA Today, President Trump seems very excited about the changes this bill is bringing.