AMA Offers Solutions for VA Access Issues

During a panel discussion at the 2017 American Medical Association (AMA) Annual Meeting, panelists discussed solutions and reiterated the AMA’s commitment to improving quality of care and access to care for veterans.

The AMA adopted a new policy aimed at encouraging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop and expand new pathways to care, such as programs like the Veteran’s Choice Program, which gives veterans the option to seek services outside the VA health system.  

Funding for the Veteran’s Choice Program is currently being debated by Congress. The program was developed in response to access issues reported by VA members who live in rural areas or areas without VA facilities nearby.  AMA members advocated for Congress to fund the Veteran’s Choice Program during the panel session. 

“Since the access issues in 2014, the VA has made concerted efforts to improve the care it provides to veterans and has made substantial strides, but improvements are still necessary,” the AMA wrote. “Given the extensive input the AMA has been providing, and the progress that is being made by the VA, the Council recommends that the AMA continue to work with the VA to provide quality care, support efforts to improve the VCP, and make it a permanent program.” 

In response to this issue, the AMA adopted policy aimed at encouraging the VA to develop solutions with physicians, in order to improve veterans’ health care options. 

Other policy included addressing payment issues with the VA. The AMA proposed that the VA pay physicians at 100% of the Medicare rate and process electronically submitted reimbursement claims within 14 days. 

The AMA also discussed policy aimed at encouraging further use of telemedicine within the VA. —David Costill