The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that it plans to re-open enrollment in its health care system by July 2009 to about 265,000 veterans whose incomes exceed current limits.

"We're pleased to be able to offer what has been called 'the best care anywhere' to many more new veterans," said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. "We'll be able to provide these newly enrolled veterans with the kind of timely, high quality health care veterans who already use our system are accustomed to."

This incoming change in eligibility affects veterans whose incomes "exceed the current VA means test and geographic means test income thresholds by 10 percent or less," according to a press release on the VA's website. The VA says Congress provided funds in VA's fiscal year 2009 budget in order to support the new enrollment.
VA has a priority-based enrollment system instituted by Congress and a uniform package of medical benefits for all enrollees. Enrollment in the VA's health care system is available to all eligible veterans. Each year, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must assess veterans' demand for services and determine if the necessary resources are available to provide timely, quality care to all enrollees.

According to VA, in 2003, enrollment for the lowest priority of the eight groups (uninjured veterans who are not being compensated for a military-related disability and who have incomes above a set threshold) was suspended because the VA was unable to provide all enrolled veterans with timely access to its health care due to the growth in veterans seeking enrollment. The press release says VA now plans to reopen enrollment for a portion of these veterans "without compromising the Department's ability to provide high quality health care services to all enrolled veterans who are eligible for care."

"The rule will take effect by June 30, 2009, if the regulatory process proceeds smoothly," Peake said. "We look forward to welcoming these newly eligible veterans into the VA system. VA will continue to monitor wait times to ensure the quality of care is not adversely affected."

Rural Health Boost

In addition, VA reports it has provided $21.7 million to its regional health care systems to improve services specifically designed for veterans in rural areas. The new funds will be used for more mobile clinics, new outpatient clinics, expansion of fee-based care; to explore collaborations with federal and community partners, accelerate the use of telemedicine deployment, and fund innovative pilot programs.

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