MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Dr. David Shulkin, the Department of Veterans Affairs secretary, recently said that he plans to improve the program that allows veterans to choose private sector healthcare providers.
The Veterans Choice Program began after the 2014 VA scandal on waiting times. It kicks in when veterans have waited for more than 30 days for an appointment with the VA, or when they live more than 40 miles from a VA facility.
Shulkin said he wants veterans to have access to the best of the private sector and the best of the VA.
President Donald Trump's budget requested funding for the continuation of the program, which the VA reports has helped more than 1.6 million veterans since its inception.
Trump also signed the Veterans Choice Program Improvement Act April 19. Shulkin plans to bring the program for reform to Congress in the fall.
The budget also requests $3.5 billion to run the program in 2019.