Veterans Patient Advocacy Act

This bill aims to make it easier for veterans who live in rural areas to get help from VA patient advocates. It tells the VA’s Office of Patient Advocacy to make sure rural veterans can access these services, including by placing patient advocates at rural VA community clinics when possible. A brief summary from the Library of Congress matches this purpose, noting the focus on rural veterans’ access to patient advocates.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Veterans living in rural areas who use VA health services.
• What changes: The VA must ensure rural veterans can reach patient advocates, including assigning advocates to rural community-based outpatient clinics when practical.
• When: The VA must carry this out within two years after the law takes effect, and the Government Accountability Office must report on how it’s going within two years as well.