Veterans ACCESS Act

Bill: 115-s-1153
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2017-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Employee performance
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health personnel
Licensing and registrations
Medical ethics
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: 

Veterans Acquiring Community Care Expect Safe Services Act of 2017 or the Veterans ACCESS Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to deny or revoke eligibility to provide non-VA health care services to veterans for any any health care provider that: (1) was removed from VA employment for violating VA policy relating to the delivery of safe and appropriate health care, (2) violated medical license requirements, (3) had a VA credential revoked on grounds that impact the provider's ability to deliver safe and appropriate health care, or (4) violated a law for which a prison term of more than one year may be imposed.
 
The VA may deny, revoke, or suspend a health care provider's eligibility to provide non-VA health care services based on a reasonable belief that such action is necessary to immediately protect the health or safety of veterans if: (1) the provider is under investigation by a state's medical licensing board, (2) the provider has entered into a settlement agreement for a disciplinary charge relating to the practice of medicine, or (3) the VA otherwise determines that such action is appropriate.
 
The VA shall suspend a health care provider's eligibility to provide non-VA health care services to veterans if such provider is suspended from serving as a VA medical provider. 

action_date: 2017-11-09
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Veterans Acquiring Community Care Expect Safe Services Act of 2017 or the Veterans ACCESS Act

 
 (Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to deny or revoke eligibility to provide non-VA health care services to veterans for any any health care provider that: (1) was removed from VA employment for violating VA policy relating to the delivery of safe and appropriate health care, (2) violated medical license requirements, (3) had a VA credential revoked on grounds that impact the provider's ability to deliver safe and appropriate health care, or (4) violated a law for which a prison term of more than one year may be imposed.
 
The VA may deny, revoke, or suspend a health care provider's eligibility to provide non-VA health care services based on a reasonable belief that such action is necessary to immediately protect the health or safety of veterans if: (1) the provider is under investigation by a state's medical licensing board, (2) the provider has entered into a settlement agreement for a disciplinary charge relating to the practice of medicine, or (3) the VA otherwise determines that such action is appropriate.
 
The VA shall suspend a health care provider's eligibility to provide non-VA health care services to veterans if such provider is suspended from serving as a VA medical provider.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-11-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-11-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-11-13
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2017-11-13
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2017-11-09
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7166)
action_date: 2017-11-09
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S7166)
action_date: 2017-11-09
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7166)
action_date: 2017-11-09
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7166)
action_date: 2017-07-11
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate