KINGSVILLE, Texas — Veterans who want to learn about major changes to their government healthcare can get details tonight in Kingsville during the Mission Act town hall meeting.
This meeting is aimed at the VA's new MISSION Act that went into effect last month. This new program hopes to offer more access to healthcare, not just at the VA but non-VA providers as well.
“It is important that all our veterans, service members, spouses, dependents and the community attend this town hall. It will give them beneficial information on what and how the Mission Act is designed to improve the care of our veterans,” said Ann Marie Torres Commander of VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2375 Kingsville.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched its new and improved community care program June 6, 2019, implementing portions of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (the MISSION Act), which both ends the Veterans Choice Program and establishes a new Veterans Community Care Program.
“It is important that all veterans in the communities we serve are aware of the VA MISSION Act. The VA’s goal is to give veterans greater choice over their healthcare, allowing VA to deliver world-class, seamless customer service either through a VA facility or community provider," said VCB Director Homero S. Martinez III.
Last year, the president signed into law the VA Mission Act of 2018.
This new law is designed to improve access to healthcare for veterans by allowing them to seek medical care from non-VA doctors.
Essentially, the VA is cutting out the middle man. In the past, those services were coordinated by a third party, but now VA staff will be directly involved in helping veterans set up necessary appointments with outside providers.
“VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System is here to serve and advocate on behalf of all veterans, the military and our communities are the reasons why I have worked with Mr. Hugo Martinez, customer service manager with the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend healthcare system to bring awareness in regards to The Mission Act,” said Torres.
The meeting is set to take place at the American Legion Post 99 in Kingsville on Thursday at 6 p.m. located at 2502 East Kenedy Avenue. All veterans are invited to attend and encouraged to give feedback.
“This is everyone's opportunity to hear directly from VA representatives regarding the Mission Act. I believe this will also give the VA representatives the opportunity to hear from our rural community veterans,” said Torres.
This new program could alleviate the need to travel to far-away facilities such as the VA hospital in the Valley or Corpus Christi and cut down on wait times for appointments.
It also makes other changes, including creating a new urgent care benefit and expanding telehealth offerings.
If you can’t make the meeting, information is available at va.gov.
