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Read. Follow. Verify.Hearing on Consolidating Veteran Healthcare Provider Networks
Record date · January 1, 2017
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What This Bill Does
This hearing transcript documents a Congressional discussion regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) plan to consolidate community care programs. The subcommittee reviewed a proposed tiered network structure that would organize healthcare providers into 'core' government-affiliated entities and 'external' private-sector contractors.
The proposed consolidation plan determines how veterans access non-VA healthcare providers, potentially changing the standards and networks used for their medical services.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Veterans
The consolidation plan dictates the network of providers available for their community-based healthcare.
Private-sector healthcare providers
Providers are subject to new performance and quality metrics to be categorized within the preferred or standard tiers.
Department of Veterans Affairs
The agency is responsible for managing the core network and overseeing the third-party contractors managing the external network.
Key Facts
- The VA proposes a tiered provider network consisting of a 'core' network and an 'external' network.
- The 'core' network includes Department of Defense facilities, Indian Health Service, tribal health programs, federally qualified health centers, and academic affiliates.
- The 'external' network is managed by third-party contractors across four regions.
- The 'external' network is divided into a 'preferred' tier (meeting specific quality/performance metrics) and a 'standard' tier (meeting minimum criteria).
Show all 6 facts
- The hearing took place on March 22, 2016, in the Cannon House Office Building.
- This was the third in a series of hearings regarding the VA's plan to consolidate community care programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the 'core' and 'external' provider networks?
How are private-sector providers categorized in the proposed plan?
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News Coverage
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Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Tiered Network Strategy
The VA moved toward a tiered system to differentiate providers based on quality metrics rather than just availability.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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