H.R. 6595: To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve the availability of care for veterans at facilities of the Department of Defense.

The bill titled "To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve the availability of care for veterans at facilities of the Department of Defense" aims to enhance the healthcare services provided to veterans through greater collaboration between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Below is a breakdown of its key provisions:

1. Action Plans for Improved Care

The bill requires the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement action plans at covered facilities, which include both military medical treatment facilities and VA medical centers. The goals of these plans include:

• Strengthening resource sharing between DoD and VA.
• Improving communication between VA and military treatment facility leadership.
• Increasing utilization of military facilities that have extra capacity.
• Enhancing medical education programs within both departments.
• Increasing access to care for enrolled veterans in areas with military treatment facilities.

2. Contents of the Action Plans

Each action plan must include specific elements, such as:

• Joint credentialing of healthcare providers to serve veterans across both departments.
• Expedited access for VA staff and veterans to DoD facilities.
• A designated coordinator in each facility to manage the action plan.
• Ongoing performance monitoring and data collection.
• Integration of information technology systems for better data sharing.
• An oversight plan for patient safety issues and complaints.

3. Approval Process for Action Plans

Action plans must secure approval from:

• The Joint Executive Committee of VA and DoD.
• The local installation commander of the DoD facility.
• The director of the relevant VA medical center.

4. Sharing Agreements

The bill mandates that both departments designate a lead coordinator at each facility with a sharing agreement and maintain a publicly available list of these agreements.

5. Patient Safety and Complaint Mechanism

To enhance accountability, a secure mechanism will be established for veterans to report complaints about their care, ensuring confidentiality and protection from retaliation.

Additional provisions include:

• Record-keeping of complaints and adverse events.
• Joint reviews of these records by DoD and VA officials.
• A prompt referral of any alleged misconduct to the Inspector General for investigation.
• Interim protective measures pending investigations.

6. Reporting to Congress

Within 30 days after completing action plans, both secretaries must submit these plans to Congress, along with annual updates on their implementation status, patient numbers, provider credentialing, and any safety incidents.

7. No Requirement for Veterans

The bill clarifies that it does not require veterans to seek care specifically at DoD facilities or change their eligibility for care under the VA system based on the establishment of new facilities.

8. Sunset Clause

The working of this legislation will conclude on September 30, 2028.

9. Definitions

The bill outlines specific terms such as "covered facility," "enrolled veteran," and "sharing agreement" to clarify the scope and applicability of the action plans and processes described.

Relevant Companies

• None found