Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) reintroduced the Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at safeguarding veterans’ access to healthcare through the Veteran Community Care Program (VCCP).
The legislation, which seeks to empower veterans to choose the healthcare options that best meet their needs, was introduced in the Senate by Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) as companion legislation.
The bill builds on the success of the 2018 MISSION Act, signed into law during the Trump Administration, which expanded veterans’ access to community care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
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However, recent challenges under the Biden Administration have created bureaucratic hurdles, forcing some veterans back into VA facilities and disrupting their continuity of care.
“Those who bravely served our nation deserve a healthcare system that provides timely access to quality care,” said Congressman Franklin. “Our veterans should be empowered to choose the care that works best for them, whether inside or outside the VA. I’m proud to reintroduce my bill, the Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act, which builds upon President Trump’s MISSION Act. It will eliminate red tape that disrupts VA benefits and remove any Biden Administration hurdles that forced veterans back into inconvenient healthcare options.”
Senator Tuberville echoed Franklin’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of reducing bureaucratic barriers for veterans.
“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country and deserve access to quick and quality care,” he said. “Under the Biden-Harris VA, we witnessed an exasperation of bureaucratic red tape, which has put our veterans’ health at risk. Allowing veterans to see their local doctor alleviates wait and drive times, especially for those who do not live close to a VA facility.”
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The Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act would amend Title 38 of the United States Code to require the VA to consider “continuity of care” when determining a veteran’s “best medical interest” under the VCCP. Specifically, the bill would:
- Allow veterans to continue accessing community care for services they already receive;
- Prevent disruptions for veterans receiving specialized treatments from community care providers, such as mental health care; and
- Provide veterans with the most convenient providers.
The legislation is particularly critical for veterans in rural areas or regions where VA facilities face significant backlogs. By protecting the VCCP, the bill ensures that veterans can maintain access to timely and quality care without unnecessary interruptions.
Congressman Franklin first introduced the Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act in 2024. The reintroduced bill has garnered support from several original cosponsors, including Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL), Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL), Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL).
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The MISSION Act, signed into law in 2018, was a landmark achievement in veterans’ healthcare, allowing eligible veterans to seek care from community providers when VA services were inaccessible or inconvenient. The Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act aims to strengthen and protect these gains, ensuring that veterans retain the flexibility and choice they were promised.
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