The number of appointments made and authorized under the Veterans Choice program has more than doubled in the past two months, according to Veterans Affairs Department officials.

As of June 26, VA had granted 115,645 authorizations for appointments and 84,385 appointments have been made under the Veterans Choice program, up from 48,583 authorizations and 40,546 appointments in April.

A VA official said the increase can be attributed to a change in the program's eligibility requirements. VA expanded eligibility in late April by changing the 40-mile requirement from a straight distance measure to actual driving distance from a VA medical facility.

The Veterans Choice program was launched in early 2015 to improve health care access to veterans who live in remote areas or have waited more than 30 days for an appointment.

Veterans and advocacy groups have pushed for broader expansion of the program, seeking legislation that would allow veterans who live less than 40 miles to a facility to use the program if the medical services they need are not available at their closest VA clinic or medical center.

The Senate passed legislation that would allow the change; the House has not yet considered a similar measure.

VA budget officials have asked for flexibility to use some of the $10 billion marked for the Veterans Choice program for other funding needs, including the Care in the Community medical outsourcing program and hepatitis C medications.

VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson told lawmakers that the department faces shutting down hospital operations if it does not get the OK to use VA Choice funds or receive more money.

VA officials and lawmakers say they are confident they can reach an agreement on covering a $3 billion shortfall before the end of July.

Staff writer Leo Shane III contributed to this report.

About Patricia Kime

Patricia Kime is a senior writer covering military and veterans health care, medicine and personnel issues.

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