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Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provided a detailed response to his request in the Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations Bill for more information on how veterans are assigned to a health care center. 

As part of the Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations Bill, Rep. Cuellar requested that the VA report back to Congress on what methods they used to assign veterans to VA health care centers. 

“I have long been concerned about veterans having to travel long distances to receive care even though there are closer, more easily accessible health center locations,” said Congressman Cuellar.  “We know have new and better information that will help veterans get health care closer to home.  This report from the VA shows veterans that they have recourse to appeal to the Agency should they have an issue accessing the quality of care they deserve.” 

The full response from the VA is below and may also be found on Rep. Cuellar’s website:

“When applying for enrollment in VA health care, Veterans select their preferred location of care from over 1,700 hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other care locations.  Once enrolled, Veterans’ coverage accompanies them when they travel or move.  VA continues to reassess the need for new care locations to make health care more accessible to Veterans.  As new locations are deployed, VA reviews its patients’ care needs and offers care to those who live closer to the new facilities.  If a new facility is able to provide the needed care and the patient is interested, VA transfers his or her care to the new location.

Additionally, at any time, Veterans may opt to receive all or some of their care at a different facility.  When a Veteran expresses a desire to receive care a different facility or site, VA reviews the patient’s needs and schedules an appointment at that alternate location, as long as it has the capacity and available resources to provide the necessary care.  In the event the facility lacks the capacity at that time, VA will place the patient on a “Transfer List” and schedule future appointments at the desired location when capacity becomes available.”

Click HERE to access this report on Rep. Cuellar’s website.