Press Releases

Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN) and Seth Moulton (D-MA) have introduced the Veterans ACCESS Act. The bipartisan ACCESS Act would ensure that health care providers who have been fired or suspended from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs cannot participate in non-VA care in community programs, like the Choice program. Currently, there is nothing explicitly in law or VA regulation that stops fired or suspended VA providers from participating in VA-administered community care programs. 

“Our veterans deserve the very best care we can provide them,” said Banks. “This bill would make an important change to ensure our veterans are protected from substandard care. I am glad to be working with Congressman Moulton on this important bipartisan issue.”

“Veterans deserve the best health care in the world. This bipartisan bill will close loopholes at the VA and help ensure that we are protecting the welfare and safety of the men and women who have served,” said Moulton.  “As a veteran, reforming the VA and making sure that my fellow servicemembers receive the very best care has been a top priority of mine since coming to Congress. I urge my colleagues to join in calling for changes to the system that will help protect the well-being of veterans across the country.”

In addition to closing loopholes, the ACCESS Act would ensure that when a provider is suspended from VA care, he or she is also suspended from non-VA care. Additionally, the bill would give the VA Secretary the discretion under certain circumstances to deny, revoke, or suspend a provider’s eligibility if the Secretary determines that such action is necessary to immediately protect the health, safety, or welfare of veterans.

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Interested members of the media may contact Anna Swick at anna.swick@mail.house.gov