VHPI Submits Testimony for Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

Congressional Testimony
Written By Russell Lemle

The Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute submitted Congressional testimony on the "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act" (S. 219), which aligns closely with our expertise.

 

The legislation would fundamentally transform veterans' healthcare by enabling unfettered access to private sector care. This legislation proposes a three-year pilot program covering approximately a quarter of the country that would allow all VHA-enrolled veterans to obtain hospital care, medical services, psychological services, and extended care through the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP)—regardless of wait times or travel distances, and without VHA authorization. The VHA would be reduced to simply paying invoices, relinquishing its vital authorization, referral, and oversight functions. The program includes no utilization limits and would eventually expand nationwide after the pilot period.

To read our full comments about this troubling bill, click here.

Russell Lemle

Russell B. Lemle, PhD, is a Senior Policy Analyst for the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute. From 1981 to 2019, he worked for the San Francisco VA Healthcare System, the last 25 years as Chief Psychologist. 

He’s authored numerous scientific publications and media commentaries, including in The Hill, Task & Purpose, The American Prospect, Washington Monthly, Federal Practitioner, Guns & Ammo and California Firing Line on the prevention of firearm suicide and the looming decimation of the VA resulting from explosive outsourcing of veterans’ health care to the private sector. Dr. Lemle has been widely recognized for his contributions to veterans’ health care policy and firearm suicide prevention, including the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 18 Harold Hildreth Award (2011), Association of VA Psychologist Leaders (AVAPL) Antonette Zeiss Distinguished Career Award (2013), AVAPL Patrick DeLeon Advocacy Award (2016), the Disabled American Veterans’ Special Recognition Award for Veterans Health Care Advocacy (2020), and APA Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest- Senior Career (2024). In 2017, the AVAPL Russell B. Lemle Leadership Award was established in his honor. He was a member of the Presidential PREVENTS task force and has testified to Congress on veterans’ mental health policy.

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