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B-330070 1 (2018-05-29)

handle is hein.gao/gaobadurp0001 and id is 1 raw text is: c AO U.S. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE 441 G St. N.W. Washington, DC 20548 B-330070 May 29, 2018 The Honorable Johnny Isakson Chairman The Honorable Jon Tester Ranking Member Committee on Veterans' Affairs United States Senate The Honorable Phil Roe, M.D. Chairman The Honorable Tim Walz Ranking Member Committee on Veterans' Affairs House of Representatives Subject: Department of Veterans Affairs: Expanded Access to Non-VA Care Through the Veterans Choice Program Pursuant to section 801 (a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is our report on a major rule promulgated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) entitled Expanded Access to Non-VA Care Through the Veterans Choice Program (RIN: 2900-AP60). We received the rule on May 11, 2018. It was published in the Federal Registeras a final rule on May 11, 2018. 83 Fed. Reg. 21,893. The effective date is May 11, 2018. The final rule revises VA's medical regulations that implement section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014. It requires VA to establish a program referred to as the Veterans Choice Program to furnish hospital care and medical services through eligible non-VA health care providers to eligible veterans who either cannot be seen within the wait-time goals of the Veterans Health Administration or who qualify based on their place of residence or face an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to a VA medical facility. The Congressional ReviewAct (CRA) requires a 60-day delay in the effective date of a major rule from the date of publication in the Federal Register or receipt of the rule by Congress, whichever is later. 5 U.S.C. § 801 (a)(3)(A). This final rule was published in the Federal Registeron May 11,2018. 83Fed. Reg.21,893. Wereceivediton May 11,2018, and ithasa stated effective date of May 11, 2018. 83 Fed. Reg. 21,893. Therefore, the final rule does not have a 60-day delay in its effective date. The 60-day delay in effective date can be waived, however, if the agency finds for good cause that delay is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest, and the agency incorporates a statement of the findings and their reasons in the rule issued. 5 U.S.C. § 553(d)(3), 808(2). VA found good cause to make this final rule effective on the date of publication, consistent with the reasons stated in the publication of the interim final rule.