Information for veterans regarding access to care

(a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1704A the following new section: 1704B. Information regarding access to care (a) Provision of information (1) In general To the greatest extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that veterans are provided, for each episode of care sought under the laws administered by the Secretary, information on current wait time and average driving time options for such episode of care, disaggregated by care provided— (A) in person at a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs; (B) via telehealth through a provider of the Department; (C) in person through the nearest suitable non-Department facility with which the Department has a provider agreement or other arrangement for non-Department care pursuant to section 1703 of this title; and (D) via telehealth through a non-Department provider with which the Department has a provider agreement or other arrangement for non-Department care pursuant to such section with the shortest wait time. (2) Form of information Information provided under paragraph (1)— (A) may be provided electronically; and (B) shall be documented in the health record of the veteran. (3) Opt out The Secretary shall permit a veteran to opt out of receiving information under paragraph (1). (b) Publication and update of information Not less frequently than weekly, the Secretary shall update the Access to Care website of the Department (or successor website) to include updated information with respect to the following: (1) The information required under subsection (a). (2) The national average wait times for each appointment at the Department and a non-Department facility for the receipt of primary care, specialty care (which shall include a disaggregated average wait time for outpatient in-person individual mental health care), and hospital care. (3) Total completed appointments for care under the laws administered by the Secretary disaggregated by appointments completed during the following period following a request for appointment: (A) Within 30 days. (B) More than 30 days. (C) More than 90 days. (D) More than 180 days. (4) Historical data, at a minimum dating back 10 years if available, for each data point required to be calculated under— (A) subsection (a); (B) section 206 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note); (C) section 195 of the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022 (division U of Public Law 117–328; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note); or (D) any other provision of law that requires data to be included in the Access to Care website of the Department (or successor website). (c) Briefing Not less frequently than quarterly, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a briefing that includes a presentation or overview of the trends in the data published on the Access to Care website of the Department (or successor website).. (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1704A the following new item: 1704B. Information regarding access to care..