161: Veterans Choice Program Congressional Dish

The Veterans Health Administration operates a taxpayer-funded health system to provide our nation’s veterans physical and mental health services. The Veterans Choice Program is a fundamental change to that system as it allows veterans to get taxpayer-funded health care in the private sector. In this episode, learn the history of the Veterans Choice Program, discover the changes that Congress and the Trump Administration have made to the program this year, and get some insights into the future of the program. Please Support Congressional Dish to contribute using credit card, debit card, PayPal, or Bitcoin to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Bills Allows veterans to get medical care ; they can go to any health facility that serves Medicare patients, health centers, the Defense Department, and the Indian Health Service. Veterans are they'd have to wait for an appointment with the Veteran's Administration or if they live 40 miles or further from a Veteran's Administration clinic. If eligible, the veteran will receive a . Veteran notifies VA, VA puts Veteran on an electronic waiting list or authorizes their request, VA works out a payment agreement with the health care provider, VA reimburses health care provider but no more than they would for Medicare services. If the veteran gets treated for , their health insurance plan will be responsible for payment and the health care provider will be responsible for going after the insurance company for the money. Veterans for care at private facilities than they would have been charged at the Veteran's Administration. . Orders a , establishes a , and creates a to review VA practices. when determining performance bonuses for top officials at the Veteran's administration and performance goals that disincentivize using private health providers for veteran care . for health care at the VA, VA facility , and will be published online. The VA will for five years to address staffing shortages. and they'll receive for working for the VA. Expands coverage for , which will include . This will be . Extends a pilot program for assisted living care for veterans with traumatic brain injuries . that charge veterans more than State residents from being qualified schools for veteran education benefits. Makes it senior executives at the Department of Veteran's Affairs. to implement these changes. Eliminates the , which was supposed to expire when the money ran out of after three years. Changes the payment system from one where the , with doctors getting reimbursed directly from the insurance companies to a new system where the . Establishes legal permission for the government to share of veterans with "private entities" Creates a new office, , in charge of and processing of whistleblower complaints. This office will have the power to . The identities of whistleblowers unless the whistleblower consents to disclosure. The Department of Veterans' Affairs must on the whistleblowing process. Gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the power to senior executives the executive receives 15 days advance notice and all evidence against him or her, legal representation, and the ability to argue their case in an official process created by the Secretary that takes no more than 21 days. Gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the power to Veterans Administration employees for performance or misconduct. will have their pay decreased. The demotion or removal process must be completed within and the employee has 7 business days to respond. These new procedures . There is an but it must be started within 10 business days after the date of the removal, demotion, or suspension. The appeal must be decided within . The Secretary without approval of a Special Counsel or unless the Assistant Secretary refuses to act on the whistleblowe