Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act

This bill would make the VA consider “continuity of care” when deciding if a veteran should get care through the Veterans Community Care Program. In simple terms, the VA would need to look at whether keeping the same doctors and treatment team is important for a veteran’s health when choosing between VA facilities and community providers. It does this by adding “continuity of care” as a specific factor in the law that guides these decisions.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Veterans who may receive care through the Veterans Community Care Program.
• What changes: The VA must consider whether staying with the same providers and care plan is in the veteran’s best medical interest when approving community care.
• When: This would take effect if enacted into law, by adding “continuity of care” to the decision factors in current statute.