President Obama has signed into law the Veterans Access to Care Act of 2014, which includes the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights as a provision. The private contracting provision of the Act, which applies to physicians, hospitals and other health care providers, including orthotists and prosthetists, was designed to address long waiting times for care.
The bill was passed by Congress on Aug. 1.
With passage of the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights, veterans will have the right to access the private O&P practitioner of their choice, regardless of whether the practitioner is contracted with the Veterans Administration (VA).
“America’s heroes have answered the call to serve. I have no greater honor than serving as your President and Commander-in-Chief,” Obama said at the signing of the bill. “I have no greater privilege than the chance to help make sure that our country keeps the promises that we’ve made to everybody who signs up to serve. And as long as I hold this office, we’re going to spend each and every day working to do right by you and your families.”
