Expedited approval process for certain requests for Veterans Care Agreements

Section 1703A of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (k) and (l) as subsections (l) and (m), respectively; (2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following new subsection (k): (k) Expedited approval process (1) In the case of a request made by a covered individual described in paragraph (2) for a Veterans Care Agreement with an eligible entity or provider, the Secretary shall— (A) approve the request under this section, including the certification under subsection (c) regardless of whether the eligible entity or provider meets the criteria under such subsection or the requirements under subsection (e), by not later than 30 days after the date on which the request is made; and (B) during the period beginning on the date of the request and ending on the date of the approval of the request, provide in-home care services for the covered veteran under section 1720L of this title. (2) A covered individual described in this subsection is a covered individual who— (A) has expressed to the Secretary a preference to receive an extended care service required by the individual from an eligible entity or provider that— (i) is not party to a Veterans Care Agreement under this section; and (ii) is not a health care provider specified in section 1703(c) of this title; and (B) resides in a location that requires traveling for longer than an hour to reach the location of any health care provider specified in section 1703(c) of this title who is qualified to furnish the extended care service required by the individual.; and (3) in subsection (e)(1), by striking subsection (k) and inserting subsection (l).