Mission Act

U.S Rep. Rick Crawford, AR-1-R

Rep. Rick Crawford: Last week, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched its new community care program, implementing provisions in the MISSION Act. This community care program will strengthen the VA Health Care System by providing more options to Veterans on their health care decisions. It should be noted that Veterans are not required to use non-VA facilities even if they qualify for the community care program.

The change allows Veterans to choose non-VA providers if:

• The Veteran needs a service that is not available at a VA medical facility
• The Veteran's drive time to the closest VA facility is 30 minutes for primary and mental health care
• The Veteran's drive time to the closest VA facility is 60 minutes for specialty care
• The Veteran's appointment wait time at a VA facility is 20 days or more for primary and mental health care
• The Veteran's appointment wait time at a VA facility is 28 days or more for specialty care
• The Veteran and referring clinician agree it is in the best medical interest of the Veteran to receive community care
• Full list of eligibility criteria.

It is crucial that we deliver on our promises to provide greater access to health care to the more than 50,000 Veterans in the First District of Arkansas. That is why I was happy to vote in favor of the MISSION Act last Congress. I am pleased to see this law is now taking effect, and I look forward to seeing it benefit the heroes that put their lives on the line for our country.

Should you have any further questions or need help regarding your eligibility for the community care program, please reach out to Rep. Rick Crawford's office at (870) 203-0540, text me at (870) 292-6747, or send me an email on my website.
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Rep. Rick Crawford serves the 1st District of Arkansas and is the the ARRA News Service Editor's Congressman.

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