The RELIEVE Act makes it easier for newly enrolled veterans to access emergency treatment reimbursement through the Veterans Community Care program by removing a requirement that they must have previously received care from the VA before seeking emergency treatment elsewhere. Specifically, the bill exempts veterans from the prior care requirement during their first 60 days after enrolling in the VA health care system, allowing them to seek emergency treatment at non-VA facilities and receive reimbursement without that prior history. The change affects any veteran who enrolls in VA health care and needs emergency treatment during that initial 60-day window. The legislation takes effect one year after it is enacted, meaning the new eligibility rules would apply to emergency treatment furnished after that date. This targeted fix addresses what sponsors view as unnecessary barriers preventing recently enrolled veterans from accessing timely emergency care.
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