Pappas Calls on VA to Protect Veterans’ Access to Community Care, Reverse Decision to Lower Reimbursement Rates

This week, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) called on VA to reverse their decision to reduce reimbursement rates for massage therapy treatments, and protect New Hampshire veterans’ access to comprehensive local care. Veterans and service providers in New Hampshire have raised concerns that the decision to lower reimbursement rates, which  was issued without warning, and could affect New Hampshire providers’ ability to participate in the Veterans Choice Program (VCP), veterans’ ability to access comprehensive care, and the well-being of providers and small businesses across New Hampshire. 

In the letter Pappas wrote, “In recent weeks, I’ve received correspondence from massage therapy providers in my district participating in the VCP sharing their distress regarding the reduction in reimbursement rates for massage therapy treatments provided to Granite State veterans. This decision has far-reaching implications, adversely affecting veterans’ well-being, providers, small business owners, and the overall effectiveness of our health care system.”

Pappas continued, “The reduction in reimbursement rates for massage therapy poses a significant threat to providers, many of whom may be unable to sustain the resulting loss in revenue, potentially forcing them to withdraw from the VCP… The absence of prior notification is particularly concerning, given the substantial impact it will have on the financial stability of these businesses.”

The full text of the letter can be found here and below:

Dear Secretary McDonough,

I write to express my concerns about recent changes made by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimbursement rates for massage therapy providers participating in the Veterans Choice Program (VCP). 

In recent weeks, I’ve received correspondence from massage therapy providers in my district participating in the VCP sharing their distress regarding the reduction in reimbursement rates for massage therapy treatments provided to Granite State veterans. This decision has far-reaching implications, adversely affecting veterans’ well-being, providers, small business owners, and the overall effectiveness of our health care system.

Massage therapy is an effective and non-invasive form of treatment for various physical and mental health conditions commonly experienced by veterans, including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Recognized as an integral part of holistic health care for veterans, massage therapy addresses not only physical ailments but also contributes to mental and emotional well-being.

The reduction in reimbursement rates for massage therapy poses a significant threat to providers, many of whom may be unable to sustain the resulting loss in revenue, potentially forcing them to withdraw from the VCP. Regrettably, providers in my district, including veteran-owned businesses, have expressed frustration over the lack of advanced notice regarding the rate change. The absence of prior notification is particularly concerning, given the substantial impact it will have on the financial stability of these businesses. It also undermines the ability of providers to adapt and plan for such significant changes. These providers take great pride in serving the veteran community. Unfortunately, without a prompt reversal of the reimbursement rate change, many will be left with no choice but to withdraw from the VCP. 

As a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I am committed to supporting our veterans and ensuring they have access to the best possible care, including the comprehensive benefits of massage therapy. Accordingly, I strongly urge VA to reconsider its decision to reduce reimbursement rates for massage therapy providers participating in the VCP. Additionally, I request a briefing within the next 30 days to discuss VA’s process for determining changes in reimbursement rates, how VA assesses its potential impact on VCP providers, and how VA communicates these rate changes to affected providers.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. 

Background:

Pappas leads the bipartisan Improving Oversight of the Veterans Community Care Providers Act, which was passed by the House in 2022. His legislation would require the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to deactivate ineligible providers from its Community Care Network, mitigating both the risk of veterans receiving care from unqualified health care providers and the Veterans Health Administration making payments to fraudulent providers.

Pappas helped introduce the Removing Extraneous Loopholes Insuring Every Veteran Emergency (RELIEVE) Act, which passed the House last year, and would eliminate a glaring gap in veteran emergency care insurance coverage by expanding emergency coverage under Care in the Community for veterans.

In 2022 Pappas fought to shut down a BRAC-style commission that recommended closing three VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in New Hampshire’s First District, ensuring that these clinics will remain open and provide veterans with access to care in their communities. 

As Chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee for Oversight and Investigations in 2020, Pappas led a hearing on the challenges facing community care providers as a result of MISSION Act implementation, and has fought for VA to ensure that every veteran can access the care they need in their community. Pappas has repeatedly pressed Administration officials to tackle these issues - during both the Trump and Biden Administrations - and met with providers and veterans to address issues related to community care.