WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a push from U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it will make a critical change in the way eligibility is determined for the Veterans Choice Card Program. Specifically, this change will adjust the way the distance requirement is calculated under the 40-mile rule, roughly doubling the number of eligible veterans nationwide who can receive care in their communities.

In a joint statement, Senators Collins and King said, “Regardless of where they live, our veterans deserve access to quality health care. We are pleased to hear that Secretary McDonald has listened to veterans’ concerns and will adopt a common-sense interpretation of the 40-mile rule and implement the provision the way that Congress had intended. Today’s announcement removes a significant roadblock and the program will take an important step forward to expand health care accessibility.”

The Choice Program is a three-year pilot program established by Congress in direct response to the nationwide crisis of access to care. The program allows veterans who live more than 40-miles from the closest VA facility, face significant burdens of travel, or are unable to schedule an appointment within 30 days to access non-VA care in their community.

The VA interpreted the 40-mile requirement to mean “as the crow flies,” or a straight line distance, rather than measuring the actual distance that the veteran would have to travel. This narrow definition had excluded from the program many veterans that Congress intended to help. In response to congressional pressure led by Senators Collins and King, the VA announced that it will no longer use the straight line distance in its calculations and will instead use driving distance to determine eligibility.

Last month, a bipartisan group of Senators, led by Senator Collins and joined by Senator King, urged Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald to use his existing authority to change immediately the way that the distance criterion is calculated.

In addition, Senators Collins and King joined Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) in introducing bipartisan legislation that would correct by force of law the VA’s flawed interpretation of the 40-mile rule. This bill also clarifies that the distance measured must be to a VA facility that offers the precise health care services the veteran requires.

Senators Collins and King continued, “While today’s announcement from the VA shows important progress, our work is not finished yet. We must make certain that those who served do not face undue burdens in accessing the care support services they have earned.  At present, the VA still does not consider the type of care available within 40 miles of where a veteran lives. Across the nation, many veterans require specific services that are not offered at a VA hospital within a 40 mile radius, but they are still prevented for accessing this specialty care at a non-VA hospital in their local community.”

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