Veterans Access to Quality Care Advocacy Awards

Last week, three members of Congress were recognized at AHCA’s Congressional Briefing for their outstanding leadership and work on the VA provider agreement issue.  Pictured from left to right are Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Senator John Hoeven and Rep. Jackie Walorski.  Plaques are also being given to Senate VA Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson, Senate VA Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal, Senator Jerry Moran, Senator Joe Manchin, Senator Tom Carper and House VA Committee Chairman Jeff Miller for their tremendous and ongoing efforts on this issue. 

As you know, AHCA has been working with the Hill and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the past several years to try to ensure that those who courageously served our country have access to extended care services through VA provider agreements. Providers currently face burdensome regulatory challenges when administering care to thousands of veterans due to onerous regulations surrounding federal contractor status. It is long-standing policy that Medicare and Medicaid providers are not considered federal contractors. However, providers that serve VA patients under a VA contract are considered federal contractors.