Summary

Creates a VA pilot program to let eligible veterans choose health care providers across VA facilities and approved non‑VA providers, expands primary care coordination, and waives certain statutory requirements to test broader access. The pilot must run in at least four geographically varied VA regions, begins one year after enactment, lasts three years, and includes a statutory phase‑in of permanent changes beginning four years after enactment.

• Establishes a multi‑VISN pilot to let eligible veterans choose providers across VA and approved non‑VA facilities.
• Pilot must include at least four VISNs that represent both rural and urban areas.
• Participating veterans must select a primary care provider in the covered care system to coordinate care and referrals.
• VA may waive certain statutory requirements to allow care at non‑VA facilities under existing authorities.
• VA must create systems to support PCP coordination of hospital, medical, and extended care for pilot participants.
• Eligible veterans can choose specialty and mental health providers within the covered care system.
• VA must provide clear information to veterans on eligibility, cost‑sharing, treatments, and providers.
• Pilot begins one year after enactment, runs three years, and statutory changes begin to phase in four years after enactment.
• The measure authorizes testing of broader access but does not itself specify appropriation amounts for implementation.