This bill tells the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to set up a dedicated team to fix and modernize how veterans schedule VA health care visits. The team must build one system that shows open appointment times across all VA clinics and providers, plus a self-service website where patients can see openings, finish booking (not just request), cancel, or reschedule. Veterans who need a referral should be able to request it in the system and then book once it’s approved. Veterans can also call and have a scheduler fully book the appointment for them.

This work should line up with the VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization program, but the VA shouldn’t wait on future tech to start delivering these scheduling tools. The bill sets timelines: create the team within 180 days, finish the main goals within one year, and send progress reports at one and two years. If any required feature can’t be done, VA must explain within 45 days and share a plan. Veterans can still schedule directly with a facility if they do not want to use online tools.

Key points

• Who is affected: Veterans using VA health care and VA staff who schedule appointments.
• What changes: One VA-wide system to see and book appointments; online self-service to book, cancel, and reschedule; phone help to book; referral requests built in; work coordinated with the VA’s health record system; non-online options remain.
• When: Team set within 180 days; main goals done within one year; progress reports due at one and two years; 45-day notice if a required feature can’t be implemented.