S. 219 — Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

This section establishes a pilot program, to be carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs through the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment in at least four Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), to expand eligible veterans' ability to choose providers for hospital care, medical services, and extended care services through the covered care system. Under the pilot, such care may be furnished at any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility regardless of VISN or at non-VA facilities under the Veterans Community Care Program (section 1703; i.e., authorizes community care when VA cannot meet access standards such as drive times) or Veterans Care Agreements (section 1703A; i.e., authorizes direct VA agreements with providers) without regard to those access standards; requires each participating veteran to select a primary care provider (potentially including designated specialists such as endocrinologists) for care coordination and referrals; permits selection of any specialty care or mental health provider; and mandates VA provision of information on eligibility, cost-sharing, treatments, and providers. (Thus, the pilot effectively removes VA access barriers to enable broader provider choice while ensuring coordinated care.) The pilot phases in over three years beginning one year after enactment of this Act. Four years after enactment, the section permanently amends the Veterans Community Care Program and Veterans Care Agreements to eliminate access standards and require furnishing such care under the pilot program's provider choice conditions.