Priorities for Outpatient Medical Services and Inpatient Hospital Care

This final rule affirms without change an interim final rule that amended VA's medical regulations. The rule established that in scheduling appointments for non-emergency outpatient medical services and admissions for inpatient hospital care, VA will give priority to veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50 percent or greater and veterans needing care for a service-connected disability. The Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 authorizes VA to ensure that these two categories of veterans receive priority access to this type of care. The intended effect of this final rule is to carry out that authority.