FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 1997
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC -- The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs today sent to the Full House Medicare "subvention" legislation. Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) is an original co-sponsor of the bill.
"This legislation establishes a three-year demonstration project in up to twelve of the VA's geographic service areas," Peterson said. "The project would allow veterans who are eligible for Medicare to receive care at specific Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals, instead of having to go to a non-military medical facility."
The participating geographic service areas have not yet been chosen. This will be determined by the VA, which has set up broad-based standards for determining what urban and rural areas will be served.
"The bill that passed this committee today also includes an amendment that provides for a managed care component, on top of the fee-for-service program," Peterson continued. "Because some VA facilities are lacking the appropriate information systems and the primary care capability for a managed care component to work, we want to try both types of programs in the project.
"This demonstration project is an attempt to protect veterans from future budget cuts, while continuing to provide them with the type of care that they deserve," Peterson concluded.