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VA Begins Testing 'Integrated Care' Program With CVS Pharmacy

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April 18, 2017

The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that it is testing a new program with CVS Pharmacy that will allow some veterans to use their federal health benefits at CVS "MinuteClinics."

The program in the Phoenix, Arizona area will allow veterans to use the pharmacy in order to reduce wait times at the VA, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday.

Under this program, nurses at the Phoenix VA facility's help line will be allowed to refer veterans to CVS' MinuteClinics when it is deemed "medically appropriate." The government will then pay for this care.

VA Secretary David Shulkin is a supporter of finding new ways for increased "integrated care" between the VA and the private sector. The CVS program allows the VA to maintain its a role and provide veterans with timely care.

Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) also supports the integrated care movement.

"Veterans in need of routine health care services should not have to wait in line for weeks to get an appointment when they can visit community health centers like MinuteClinic to receive timely and convenient care," he said.

Democrats have criticized Republican politicians for wanting to privatize veterans' care. Republicans, however, have often called for the private sector to be utilized due the long wait times at many VA facilities, including the Phoenix facility which treats about 120,000 veterans. Many veterans died after having been put on wait lists at VA hospitals around the country.