THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A controversial program meant to get more U.S. veterans to use private health care received $8.9 billion as part of a government spending bill approved by the House.
Some veterans groups have warned that “cannibalizing” VA programs to pay for the Veterans Choice program could lead to privatization of VA, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Under the program, veterans have wider access to private care if they have faced long wait times or received treatment that was not what they expected.
The bill provides $81 billion for VA care of 9.3 million veterans, including the $8.9 billion for private care. Another $11.3 billion for private care is expected in 2021, the AP reported.
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