VA has made significant progress in its implementation of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (VACAA), which was signed into law on August 7, 2014. VA has since leveraged this law to further efforts to enhance its health care system and improve service delivery to better serve Veterans. The legislation called for the establishment of one entirely new benefit program, implementation of 21 program modifications or expansions, the completion of three required assessments, and creation of 12 supporting reports.

Though VA has worked to continuously improve since the enactment of VACAA, more work remains to expand timely access to high-quality health care for Veterans. Some of the specific areas in which progress has been made include:

  • Implementation of the Veterans Choice Program
  • Continued posting of publically available data
  • Extension of the Project ARCH and TBI assisted living pilot programs
  • Increase in graduate medical education residency positions
  • Expansion of eligibility for MST-related treatment
  • Expanded Fry Scholarship eligibility
  • GI Bill resident rate requirements
  • Clinic practice management and training
  • Completion of independent assessments
  • Increased availability of credential information

For details of each of these areas, please read the full Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act 2014 One Year Anniversary Highlights fact sheet.

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4 Comments

  1. John Paul Winant August 17, 2015 at 13:29

    I to have spasms , whole body jerks. Been in lock down psychological multiple times. Through ssi_medicaid , found out I have 2 herniated discs, with lumbar stenosis , arthritis in both knees and right foot , Hepatic Encephalopathy, hep.c, they had a oncologists come and tell me I had white blood cell count problem, at V.A psychological ward. Also blood ammonia problem all this and I get 10 percent, then ssa takes all that except the first $20.

  2. DannyG August 12, 2015 at 23:46

    Gentlemen, you both bring up very good points! The “old” VETERANS Health Administration handed out opiate medications like they were candy, & by doing so, created many addicted veterans! If they kept us high, we didn’t complain. Now, they are bluntly cutting them off! Mr. Benner, unlike you, I have tried many street drugs, including pot. Most drug dealers would give you a “taste or two for free, get you hooked, & then they got you! I am proud to say that I have been sober for abt 28 yrs., & clean for abt 21 yrs!
    rtheory, I heard one dispensary owner in Oakland, Ca say that he pays over $500K a year in taxes per year to the federal gov’t ! There is a double standard that has become more obvious in the last few years than ever before.
    Medicinal marijuana is helpful for many ailments; PTSD, (back) muscle spasms & arthritis, are a couple that are common among veterans. Doctors, politicians, & even the man I am proud to support, Secretary McDonald, need to realize this FACT, & do what they can to get the “machine” (our so-called president) to consider adding it to the VA formulary! As long as you’re legal, don’t worry about the stigma & stereotypes; without veterans, some other country would probably be growing opium poppies in the white house “rose” garden!

  3. Billie Jo Benner August 8, 2015 at 23:34

    I have been on CPOT for more than 7 years. It never takes the pain away. I understand that fact. It helps relieve/ease the number of extremely painful occurrences. Now they want us on touchy feely, listen to this tape therapy. You would think by what I just said that I like CPOT. Well, I hate it. I have never used Marijuana. Not even by not inhaling. The States that have it legalized seem to be all doing fine. It is VA and the Federal Government that is the problem with trying it. Let us try it. Sign me up. But then, lets be real the Politian’s, AMA, and yes even VA Doctors are ALL in the DRUG COMPANY’S POCKETS. I know first hand. The other area that needs to be addressed in the VA is the SERVICE CONNECTED COMP I know a man that was 10% and now just a few months later after he met a fellow Christian man is 100% just because he went to this fellow Christian who happened to be a Veterans Service Officer. I also know that 70%, + 40%, + 30% + 10% + 10% + 10 % = 90%. Is “BS” math? Oh wait, I won’t say it here. Just another example of Ole B club, and Wacko Math. Billie Bener

  4. rtheory@rocketmail.com August 8, 2015 at 03:51

    I wish. I use cannabis instead of opiates now and I am happy that my quality of life has improved. I suffer with Gulf war illness and can finally feel pain free. I would think there would be some sort of Health care formulary to assist with the financial burden this places on the Veteran’s Choice of medication.

    Unfortunately, there is a pre-historic and stereotypical shadow about its use and until it is accepted as medication, just look at how it relieves spasms for instance. I paid out of pocket for a doctor outside of VA, certification, devices, education and medication.

    Why? You gave me vicoden for years.

    Hell no, I’m not taking all those pills anymore. Veteran’s Choice? I think not!

    John C. Thierry

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