With the support of Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC) on Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the Department of Veterans Affairs Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act, which makes critical reforms to veteran healthcare programs, providers, and access. Included in the VA MISSION Act is text from H.R. 2419, Congressman Rouzer’s bill, to improve the processing of claims for reimbursement through electronic interface and improve the VA’s adherence to the prompt payment schedule.
“The 7th Congressional District is blessed to have a large community of veterans,” Congressman Rouzer said in a statement. “The VA MISSION Act makes vital reforms to ensure our nation’s heroes have timely access to the care and resources they have so bravely earned. I am pleased the House Veterans Affairs Committee included my language to allow the VA to work with third party entities to help expedite and process electronic healthcare claims in an effort to improve the efficiency and turnaround of the claims process. Our veterans are the very best our country has to offer. I look forward to the Senate taking up this critical bill so that President Trump can sign these much-needed reforms into law.”
The VA MISSION Act streamlines the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) duplicative community care programs into one cohesive program, creates a non-partisan process for reviewing VA’s assets, and expands the VA’s Post-9/11 Caregiver Program to all eras. The VA MISSION Act includes funding for the Veterans Choice Program, which is expected to run out of funds as early as May 31, 2018.
Additionally, the language authored by Congressman Rouzer allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements with third parties to facilitate and expedite the electronic claims process from community providers.
