NEW CARD SHORTENS VETERANS ADMINISTRATION APPOINTMENT TIME

Thousands of veterans across Southern California are beginning to receive cards for a new Veterans Affairs program designed to shorten the distance and time to meet their health needs. The card allows veterans to be treated at a non-VA health facility in cases where they live more than 40 miles from a VA hospital or clinic. And, it allows them to get treatment outside the VA system, if an appointment can’t be scheduled within 30 days. The Veterans Choice program officially began its rollout November 4, but many veterans have been receiving cards in the past two weeks. Nationally, the VA health care system serves more than 8.7 million veterans. So far, 1.9 million have been authorized to use the new program. The Choice program has a lifespan of three years and is designed to buy the VA time to increase hiring and build out more space.