Rural Veterans Access to Care Act

Bill: 110-hr-1527
Sponsor: Rep. Moran, Jerry [R-KS-1]
Introduced: 2007-03-14 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Access to health care
Clinics
Community health services
Drugs
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Government procurement
Health
Hospital care
Housing and Community Development
Iraq compilation
Medical fees
Physicians
Prescription pricing
Rural health
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-14
text: 
Rural Veterans Access to Care Act - Allows a highly rural veteran who is enrolled in the system of patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to elect to receive covered health services through a non-VA health care provider. Defines a &quot;highly rural veteran&quot; as one who: (1) resides more than 60 miles from the nearest VA facility providing primary care services, more than 120 miles from a VA facility providing acute hospital care, or more than 240 miles from a VA facility providing tertiary care (depending on which services the veteran needs); or (2) otherwise experiences such hardships or other difficulties in travel to the nearest appropriate VA facility that such travel is not in the best interest of the veteran.
 
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish to a highly rural veteran such drugs and medicines as may be ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician in the treatment of any illness or injury.

action_date: 2008-08-01
text: 
Rural Veterans Access to Care Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a three-year pilot program under which a highly rural veteran who is enrolled in the system of patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and who resides within a designated area of the Veterans Integrated Service Network may elect to receive covered health services through a non-VA health care provider. Defines a &quot;highly rural veteran&quot; as one who: (1) resides more than 60 miles from the nearest VA facility providing primary care services, more than 120 miles from a VA facility providing acute hospital care, or more than 240 miles from a VA facility providing tertiary care (depending on which services the veteran needs); or (2) otherwise experiences such hardships or other difficulties in travel to the nearest appropriate VA facility that such travel is not in the best interest of the veteran. Requires an annual program assessment report, during the three-year period, from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees, which shall include recommendations for continuing the program.

action_date: 2008-09-10
text: 
Rural Veterans Access to Care Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a three-year pilot program under which a highly rural veteran who is enrolled in the system of patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and who resides within a designated area of the Veterans Integrated Service Network may elect to receive covered health services through a non-VA health care provider. Defines a &quot;highly rural veteran&quot; as one who: (1) resides more than 60 miles from the nearest VA facility providing primary care services, more than 120 miles from a VA facility providing acute hospital care, or more than 240 miles from a VA facility providing tertiary care (depending on which services the veteran needs); or (2) otherwise experiences such hardships or other difficulties in travel to the nearest appropriate VA facility that such travel is not in the best interest of the veteran. Requires an annual program assessment report, during the three-year period, from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees, which shall include recommendations for continuing the program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-11
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-09-10
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-09-10
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 - 0 (Roll no. 578). (text: CR 9/09/2008 H7903)
action_date: 2008-09-10
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-09-10
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 - 0 (Roll no. 578).(text: CR 9/09/2008 H7903)
action_date: 2008-09-10
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7968-7969)
action_date: 2008-09-09
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2008-09-09
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1527.
action_date: 2008-09-09
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7903-7907)
action_date: 2008-09-09
text: Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2008-08-01
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 530.
action_date: 2008-08-01
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 110-817.
action_date: 2008-08-01
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 110-817.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Unanimous Consent .
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-04-26
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2007-03-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2007-03-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2007-03-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-14
text: Introduced in House