On November 29, 2017, the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’
Affairs considered and approved legislation entitled, Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017. This legislation establishes a veterans community care program, and ensures
that extended care providers, including nursing centers, can legally enter into
VA Provider Agreements. The legislation would next go to the full U.S.
Senate for consideration. The U.S.
House of Representatives’ Committee on Veterans’ Affairs has not held a
mark-up of their own proposal as of yet.
As you may know from previous AHCA communications, AHCA
endorses legislation introduced earlier this year entitled, the
Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act (S. 1611/H.R. 4113). This legislation, introduced by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Mike
Rounds (R-SD) and by Congressman Bruce Poliquin (R-ME-02), would ensure that
extended care providers, including nursing centers, can legally enter into VA
Provider Agreements, and would be subject to the same rules and regulations as
any other Medicare or Medicaid provider. Under S. 1611/H.R. 4113, the
number of facilities serving veterans will increase in most markets once
qualified providers are able to enter into VA Provider Agreements, broadening
options among veterans for nursing center care and home and community-based
services. The U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs approved
legislation noted above includes some, but not all, of the provisions from the
Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act.
If you have any questions about the ongoing Hill efforts
around VA Provider Agreements, please contact AHCA’s Senior Director of Not for
Profit & Constituent Services, Dana
Halvorson.
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