introduce an online self-scheduling portal for veterans
Support creating an online self-scheduling portal for veterans to book VA care appointments.
Occurrences
Evidence
The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee said Chairman Mike Bost and Chairman Jerry Moran introduced the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act and that it includes H.R. 740, the Veterans’ ACCESS Act, in the negotiated veterans package.
Section 407 requires VA to implement an electronic process through which a Department scheduler can schedule appointments for care provided by VA or through the Veterans Community Care Program, and to report on that process after enactment.
Assessments
Bost materially advanced the issue by introducing and negotiating veterans legislation that included appointment-scheduling modernization language during his current term. But the cited package was only introduced, not enacted, and the specific text describes an electronic process for VA schedulers rather than a clear online self-scheduling portal for veterans themselves. That is meaningful progress and support, but not full fulfillment of the promised outcome.