Bill Overview
Title: RURAL Veterans Act
Description: This bill addresses the recruitment of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care professionals in rural areas. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to establish the Office of Rural Recruitment to improve the recruitment of health care professionals for rural and highly rural community-based outpatient clinics and medical centers of the VA. The bill also requires the director of each Veterans Integrated Service Network that contains at least one rural or highly rural community-based outpatient clinic to annually develop and maintain a strategy to recruit health care professionals. The Office of Rural Recruitment shall conduct a study on the feasibility of a scholarship program for health care professionals to attend the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in exchange for service as full-time employees at a rural or highly rural community-based outpatient clinic or medical center of the VA for a specified period of time. The VA shall establish the Rural Health Quality and Access Fellowship program to provide fellowships to health care professionals at the graduate or post-graduate level who serve on a short-term basis as full-time employees at a rural or highly rural community-based outpatient clinic or medical center of the VA and conduct research on (1) improving the quality of rural health care, (2) access to health care in rural areas, and (3) recruitment and retention of health care professionals in rural areas.
Sponsors: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
Target Audience
Population: People in rural areas who rely on VA services
Estimated Size: 10000000
- The bill aims to recruit healthcare professionals in rural areas, thus affecting both healthcare providers and patients in these areas.
- Improving recruitment for VA facilities in rural areas directly impacts rural veterans by potentially enhancing their access to healthcare services.
- The establishment of fellowship programs may increase the number of specialized healthcare providers in rural areas, improving service quality and availability.
- The bill indirectly affects rural communities by increasing healthcare employment opportunities, thus potentially impacting the local economy.
Reasoning
- The policy targets rural areas and specifically aims to recruit healthcare professionals for VA facilities, thus mostly affecting veterans residing in these areas along with their families and rural communities.
- Given the provided statistics, the implementation budget suggests a significant but selective effort initially, impacting most those directly tied to VA services either through employment or as users.
- Considering employment, veterans are a demographic with unique needs, and improved access to healthcare facilities should lead to a noticeable increase in their wellbeing over time.
- Include varied perspectives from veterans, healthcare professionals, and rural community members to capture a range of policy impacts.
Simulated Interviews
retired veteran (rural Kentucky)
Age: 64 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This new policy could really help out areas like ours. It's sometimes hard to get an appointment, and new doctors would be welcome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
nurse (rural Montana)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This program might be a great opportunity for career growth, and I'd love to contribute to veteran care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
veteran farmer (rural West Virginia)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's tough here with few doctors. Making it easier for them to work here sounds good for us veterans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
medical student (rural Texas)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A scholarship program would ease financial pressures and launch my career serving veterans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
VA clinic administrator (rural Nebraska)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our clinic often lacks the necessary staff. This initiative could greatly improve service delivery.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
retired veteran's spouse (rural North Dakota)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any improvements to healthcare for my husband would ease our worries. We need more consistent care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
healthcare professional (rural Alabama)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The fellowship program aligns with my goals to improve rural healthcare access; it's an exciting prospect.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
retired (rural Maine)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Healthcare has been a struggle out here. More doctors could change my life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
medical student (urban California)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I prefer working in urban settings, and I'm not interested in rural-focused programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
VA clinic physician (rural Michigan)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic about the support the new office could provide in sustaining our staff levels.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $17000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $17500000 (Low: $15500000, High: $20500000)
Year 3: $18000000 (Low: $16000000, High: $21000000)
Year 5: $19000000 (Low: $17000000, High: $22500000)
Year 10: $21000000 (Low: $19000000, High: $25000000)
Year 100: $25000000 (Low: $23000000, High: $28000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill focuses on addressing healthcare professional shortages in rural areas, which directly impacts veteran healthcare access.
- Implementation will require cooperation with existing VA facilities and rural health networks.
- Long-term sustainability of the programs is crucial for achieving intended outcomes.
- Potential political and funding challenges could affect the scope and success of the proposed programs.