This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to set and publish clear standards for how quickly veterans should be able to get appointments after their doctor refers them for care. Right now, there's no consistent rule about how long veterans have to wait between when a referral is submitted and when they actually see a doctor—whether that appointment is at a VA hospital or through a community doctor. The VA would need to establish a specific timeframe, publish it so everyone can see it, and then report every three months on how well they're meeting that goal, showing what percentage of referrals actually result in appointments within the standard timeframe. Essentially, this is about making the VA's scheduling process more transparent and holding them accountable for getting veterans in to see doctors in a timely manner.

SCHEDULES Act of 2024

Scott, Rick

Scheduling for Community Health and Easy Data to Understand for Legislators to Evaluate Services Act of 2024 or the SCHEDULES Act of 2024This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a standard for timing between the date on which a referral for VA care is entered into the VA's system and the date on which an appointment for care occurs, whether at a VA facility or through care in the community.The VA must publish the standard in the Federal Register and on a publicly accessible VA website. Additionally, the VA must submit a report at least quarterly on the number and percentage of referrals that meet the new timing standard.