Women Veterans Specialty Access Act

Summary#

This bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to let eligible women veterans directly schedule appointments for women’s specialty care without a referral from a VA primary care provider. That direct scheduling would be available at every VA medical center or clinic that offers women's specialty care and through phone, online tools, or other scheduling methods the VA uses. The rule would also apply to care arranged through the Veterans Community Care Program. The bill prohibits extra approvals, referrals, or screening steps before a covered veteran can get women's specialty care. It does not change who is eligible for community care under existing law.

What it means for you#

• If you are an enrolled woman veteran eligible for women’s specialty care, you could make appointments for gynecology, obstetrics, maternity, and postpartum care without first getting a referral from a VA primary care provider.
• You could schedule care at VA centers and clinics that offer these services, or use phone and online scheduling. You could also use the Veterans Community Care Program when eligible.
• Eligibility rules for community care are not changed by this bill.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

Supporters of the bill say it would let eligible women veterans get faster, more direct access to gynecology, obstetrics, maternity, and postpartum services by removing the requirement to obtain a referral from a VA primary care provider and by making scheduling available through multiple channels.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.