Government reimbursement rates for certain types of highly specialized emergency transportation have been significantly lower than the true costs of providing such services.

Earlier this year, the VA finalized a proposed rule change to cut its reimbursement rate for emergency air medical transportation. During health emergencies, this reduction could put an estimated 4.7 million veterans living in rural and remote communities, who already struggle to get reliable access to health care, at even greater risk.

H.R. 5530, the VA Emergency Transportation Access Act, would limit the VA’s ability to change payment rates for transporting veterans and eligible individuals on specialized transportation modes.

DAV supports H.R. 5530, in accordance with DAV Resolution No. 323, which calls on VA to provide equitable access to transportation options for veterans who need specialized forms of transportation to VA facilities.

We call on DAV members and supporters to contact their representative and urge them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 5530, the VA Emergency Transportation Access Act.

The Better Examiner Standards and Transparency for Veterans Act, or the BEST for Vets Act, would ensure that only licensed health care professionals furnish disability examinations under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Disability Examination Office.

The BEST for Vets Act states that, “no examination as part of this program will be conducted by any health care professional other than a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, audiologist, or psychologist that has a current unrestricted license to practice that health care profession.” Additionally, the bill would require the VA to provide an annual report to the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees.

VA compensation and pension exams are vital to the disability claims process in determining the existence of current conditions and whether or not a veteran’s illness or injury is related to their military service. In many cases, these exams are the linchpin to establish or deny a claimed benefit making it incredibly important that the appropriate licensed health care professional conduct these exams.

In accordance with DAV Resolution No. 220, DAV strongly supports S. 280 and H.R. 7434—the BEST for Vets Act, which will ensure our nation’s veterans are afforded professional opinions in the development of their disability claims.

Please urge your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor the BEST for Vets Act. Thank you for supporting service-disabled veterans, their families and survivors.

BACKGROUND:

The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System is inviting the OKC area Veterans to call into the Community Care Veterans Tele-Town Hall on Thursday, January 11^th from, 11:30am to 12:30pm.

OKC staff, Health Care Providers and Veterans Benefits Association (VBA) will be on hand to answer questions about Community Care, Travel, VA Benefits, eligibility, Veteran programs, new virtual resources, OKC ongoing improvements and much more.

If you would like to join the call you must dial into the program on 11 January from 1130am-12:30pm by calling 1-833-305-1730 to attend.

This is a chance for Veterans to ask those questions they may have about what Veteran Affairs can do for them.

For questions about the event please contact: Carmen Daugherty at 405-416-0279.

NORTH OKC PATIENTS CAN NOW GO TO NORTH MAY CLINIC FOR LABORATORY.

See below graphic for information location for primary care clinics.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 5, 2023

Delayed opening for North OKC VA Clinic

OKLAHOMA CITY —The Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Heath Care System is currently notifying local Veterans that the North OKC VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic will be closed between 3 to 6 months due to water damage from a broken water riser valve.

The OKC VA hospital is asking patients that had previously scheduled appointments at North OKC Clinic and are unsure of their new transitioned appointment location, please contact the VA scheduling staff at 405-456-1000, select option 2.

During this temporary closure period, Veterans medical needs are a priority and Veterans will be contacted and redirected to alternative clinic locations around the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

For any questions or concerns about upcoming scheduled appointments, Veterans can call the Oklahoma City VA to ensure every Veteran previously scheduled at North OKC CBOC has a new rescheduled appointment location.

The OKC VA understands this is an inconvenience and wants to assure Veterans that every effort is being made to minimize the impact on their healthcare experience. They are tentatively targeting January 16, 2024, for confirmation of the new appointment locations.

The building owner is currently working diligently with the insurance company, cleaning crews and construction teams to repair the site as soon as possible.

Again, if you are unsure of your new North OKC appointment location, please contact the VA scheduling staff at 405-456-1000, select option 2.