Federal Healthcare

The political grandstanding is over. Now the VA has to make Choice reforms work.

Modern Healthcare: The political grandstanding is over. Now the real work begins in reshaping how private hospitals and physicians work in the veterans' healthcare system.

Congress sent the long-stalled VA Choice reforms bill to President Donald Trump, who as of deadline is slated to sign it on D-Day, June 6, according to an administration staffer. The legislation—dubbed the VA Mission Act—puts the onus on the Veterans Affairs Department to address problems that have plagued not just the Choice program but veterans healthcare overall. The department has a year to write sweeping regulations reshaping the program before it expires next year, giving way to new expanded-care options. Lawmakers and private providers—those currently working with veterans and those patiently waiting on the sidelines for the new program—will be scrutinizing the department's progress.

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