Legislation streamlines health care access and creates new pathway for rural veterans within 35 miles of a Critical Access Hospital
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Many of America’s veterans live in rural or highly rural areas and face major challenges to accessing quality and timely health care. To improve access to local rural care options, U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT), members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced the Critical Access for Veterans Care Act. The bill would create a new option for veterans living in rural America, allowing them to seek health care services at their local rural hospital or clinic under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care Program.
Specifically, the legislation would amend the VA MISSION Act of 2018 to create a new category under which care is required to be furnished through community providers, specifically for care sought by a rural veteran residing with 35 miles of the Critical Access Hospital or Rural Health Clinic.
While communities may lack a VA Medical Center or Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), they are often served by Critical Access Hospitals or Rural Health Clinics. Critical Access Hospital is a designation given to eligible rural hospitals by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). As defined by federal statute, they are the sole provider within 35 miles, must have 25 or less inpatient beds, and provide 24/7 emergency care services. They are often the only available care in rural communities, but due to community care restrictions veterans can only access them with prior authorization from the VA. There are 37 Critical Access Hospitals across North Dakota, five of which also have a VA CBOC. The Critical Access for Veterans Care Act would expand immediate access in the 32 other communities, as well as the few areas already served by a CBOC.
“Many of our nation’s veterans live in rural areas and face significant barriers to getting the care they need,” said Cramer. “As a country, we have prioritized the preservation of Critical Access Hospitals to ensure rural America has readily available care. This designation has been a lifeline for so many, yet veterans in these communities do not have the same open access as their neighbors. Our bill removes the unnecessary roadblocks, allowing veterans to freely pursue care at their local hospital or clinics already serving those communities.”
“As a combat veteran myself, putting America’s veterans first is at the center of my mission, and that means increasing access to the best care, people, and facilities available for our veterans,” said Sheehy. “For too long, the status quo has failed veterans, especially in rural communities, leaving them without timely access to the high-quality care they have rightly earned. In Congress, it’s our duty to ensure our veterans have the support they need to achieve the same American Dream they fought to defend, and the Critical Access for Veterans Care Act helps accomplish that mission.”
Additionally, the legislation:
The Critical Access for Veterans Care Act is supported by several groups in North Dakota, including Unity Medical Center in Grafton and First Care Health Center in Park River. The bill is also endorsed by America’s Warrior Partnership and the National Rural Health Association.
“The Critical Access for Veterans Care Act is a necessary step toward ensuring rural veterans can receive timely, high-quality care close to home,” said Alan Morgan, CEO of National Rural Health Association. “By removing unnecessary prior authorization requirements and aligning VA reimbursement with Medicare’s cost-based rates for rural providers, this legislation supports rural providers and expands access to essential health services for veterans who need them most. We commend Senator Cramer and Senator Sheehy for championing this bill and urge Congress to advance this life-improving policy without delay.”
“America’s Warrior Partnership strongly supports the Critical Access for Veterans Care Act and thanks Senator Cramer for its introduction,” said Jim Lorraine, President of America’s Warrior Partnership. “This essential legislation expands veterans’ access to local and timely healthcare, removing prior authorization hurdles for care delivered at critical access hospitals and affiliated rural clinics under the Veterans Community Care Program. America’s Warrior Partnership recognizes this bill as a meaningful step toward enhancing quality of life, continuity of care, health outcomes, and local community-based care for our nation’s veterans.”
“I am very encouraged by the effort and direction being taken by Senator Cramer and others as they work to improve healthcare access opportunities for the nearly 3.0 million veterans residing in the rural areas of the United States,” said Alan O’Neil, CEO, Unity Medical Center in Grafton, N.D. “This bill will not only help the veterans, but will also improve utilization of the 1300 plus Critical Access Hospitals in the rural areas of the United States. Thank you for your support of our Rural Veterans and Rural Hospitals!”
“Thank you Senator Cramer for your commitment to improving healthcare access for rural veterans,” said Marcus Lewis, CEO, First Care Health Center in Park River N.D. “Like many, I was hopeful when the Veteran’s Choice Program was introduced in 2013. Unfortunately, that hope gave way to frustration as I encountered delays, denials, and a confusing credentialing process that has too often left me—and countless other veterans—without timely or effective care. That’s why this bill is so critical. It acknowledges the unique challenges rural veterans face and offers a real pathway to timely, local, and reliable care.”
Click here for bill text.