Concerned Veterans for America Issues Statement on Launch of Veterans Community Care Program

ARLINGTON, Virginia, June 6 -- Concerned Veterans for America issued the following statement by Senior Adviser Dan Caldwell on the launch of Veterans Community Care Program:

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- Veterans group weighs in as major VA MISSION Act provision is implemented

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The program is a major part of the VA MISSION Act, expanding options and accessibility for qualified veterans to get the care they need right in their own communities:

"The launch of the Veterans Community Care program represents a huge step forward in expanding health care access for veterans who use the VA.

"However, the VA must still ensure the program is properly implemented and any emerging problems are immediately addressed.

"We will continue working with lawmakers and the VA in the coming months to make sure veterans are properly served by the new program.

"And, as CVA still strongly believes veterans who use the VA should eventually be given the ability to choose to access a non-VA provider with their benefits without prior authorization, we will continue working for additional reforms toward that end."

CVA released this statement in January when the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) publicly released its draft standards for the new community care program mandated by the VA MISSION Act.

The VA MISSION Act was endorsed by over 30 veteran service organizations; it was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support (347-70 in the House and 92-5 in the Senate); and signed into law by President Trump in June 2018.