Disabled Veterans Get Health Care Priority from VA

[Hoss68]

All veterans with service-connected medical problems will receive priority access to health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under a new directive. The directive provides that all veterans requiring care for a service-connected disability -- regardless of the extent of their injury -- must be scheduled for a primary care evaluation within 30 days of their request for care. If a VA facility is unable to schedule an appointment within 30 days, it must arrange for care at another VA facility, at a contract facility or through a sharing agreement. The directive covers hospitalization and outpatient care. It does not apply to care for medical problems not related to a service-connected disability. However, veterans needing emergency care will be treated immediately. For more information, see this http://http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressr...net.cfm?id=715 To read the latest commentary from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi, http://www.military.com/NewContent/0..._Index,00.html.