Should the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) automatically enroll veterans in the VA health care system?
This bill would mandate that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) automatically enroll eligible veterans in the VA healthcare system. The bill requires the VA to send each eligible veteran both an electronic certificate confirming their enrollment and a mechanism to opt out within 60 days of enrolling. The bill directs the VA to enroll all eligible veterans by August 1, 2022.
Sponsor: Rep. Mark Takano (Democrat, California, District 41)
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Opponents say
• "H.R. 4673, the EVEST Act, would automatically enroll eligible separating servicemembers into the VA healthcare system. Transitioning servicemembers receive education before they leave the military about how to enroll in the VA care and are contacted by the VA three times during their first year as civilians. Automatically enrolling them would add an influx of new patients into the VA healthcare system which could mean veterans wait longer for care, VA staff experience more stress, and VA facilities become more crowded. None of these second order impacts have been considered or accounted for. Further, CBO estimates this bill will cost 3.1 billion dollars. That is not offset, which means that taxpayers will also suffer from this proposal." Source: Rep. Mike Bost (Republican, Illinois, District 12)
Proponents say
• "We know that the months following transition out of the military can be very stressful and particularly risky for new veterans in terms of mental health…A smooth care transition from DoD to VA can help support veterans adjust to the next phase of their lives and provide easy access to healthcare should challenges arise." Source: Rep. Mark Takano (Democrat, California, District 41)
• "More than 200,000 servicemembers transition out of military service every year. The first year of that transition is a critical time, with veterans facing a variety of healthcare needs. Right now, many unfortunately have to deal with bureaucratic red tape to get the care they need. The EVEST Act will change that so these heroes no longer have to jump through unnecessary hoops to access the healthcare services that they have earned." Source: Rep. Jim McGovern (Democrat, Massachusetts, District 2)
