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VA Sets New Access Priorities
The Department of Veterans Affairs is establishing priority
access to health care for severely disabled veterans under
new regulations announced this month. "It is unacceptable to
keep veterans with service-connected medical problems waiting
for care,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J.
Principi. “These veterans are the very reason we exist, and
everything we do should focus first on their needs." The new
regulation takes effect in two phases. Under phase one, which
is being implemented immediately, VA will provide priority
access to health care for veterans with service-connected
disabilities rated 50 percent or greater. This new priority
includes hospitalization and outpatient care for both service-
connected and non-service-connected treatment. VA will
continue to treat immediately any veteran needing emergency
care. In the second phase, which begins next year, VA will
provide priority access to other service-connected veterans
for their service-connected conditions.
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