Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to launch a new program to provide veterans in very rural areas the option to obtain health care from non-VA covered facilities.

“Rural veterans deserve the same quality health care as those who live in major cities. They all sacrificed for our nation,” says Brady. “Under this pilot program rural veterans can get health care closer to home and closer to their families, avoiding the long and arduous travel to VA facilities miles away.”

Brady added, “This is one of the common-sense ideas I heard during my 50 ideas to Improve Health Care initiative. I am excited Congress is acting upon it.”

This bill, which passed the House and now goes to the Senate, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a 3-year pilot project to allow highly rural veterans enrolled in VA health care to receive covered services through non-VA providers. The bill defines a highly rural veteran as one who resides 60 miles from VA primary care services, 120 miles from the nearest VA facility providing acute hospital care, or more than 240 miles from the nearest VA facility providing tertiary care. Additionally the bill calls for an annual report to Congress with recommendations for making the program permanent.

Last fall Congressman Kevin Brady launched a grassroots initiative - called 50 Ideas to Improve Health Care-  with families, businesses and medical professionals throughout east and southeast Texas to identify ways to make health care more affordable, accessible and efficient. The results are included in a final report and form the basis for new health care legislation for Congress to consider.