Institute for Veterans Health & Social Policy

Washington Must Fix This Gap in Coverage for Veterans

Veterans who cross state lines for work, travel, to care for family, or just to get treatment for their service-connected disabilities within their own Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) cannot continue to receive tele-therapy from their licensed counselor, therapist, psychologist, or social worker if that provider is contracted by VA through the VA Community Care Program (VCCP)? That's right. Even if the therapeutic relationship is working. Even if the treatment is essential and effective. Even if the veteran is at high risk.

The Department of Defense has already addressed this same gap in coverage by extending care to mobile active duty servicemembers and their families as well as to military retirees who receive care through TRICARE. This was accomplished by extending federal preemption to contractors whose therapy services are paid for by the federal government. But the VA has decided not to preempt state licensing laws, which it is fully entitled to do--and which the often long delays for mental health treatment within the VA demand. For reference, as of May 1, the wait to see a mental health counselor in VISN 8 (the nation's largest VA network) was nearly 120 days.

The Institute for Veterans Health & Social Policy is calling on Congress and the VA Secretary to fix this problem without delay. Congress has already acted to close this gap for other military populations, and there are no good reasons not to extend this federal preemption to VA contractors.

TELL CONGRESS & THE VA SECRETARY THAT

Every Veteran Deserves Access to Timely Mental Health Treatment

Washington Must Fix This Gap in Coverage for Veterans

TELL CONGRESS & THE VA SECRETARY THAT

Every Veteran Deserves Access to Timely Mental Health Treatment

Washington Must Fix This Gap in Coverage for Veterans

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