Organ transplants under the Veterans Choice Program

Section 101(b)(2) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended— (1)in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking or; (2)in subparagraph (D)(ii)(II)(dd), by striking the period and inserting ; or; and (3)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(E) (i)requires an organ or bone marrow transplant; and (ii) (I)has, in the opinion of the primary health care provider of the veteran, a medically compelling reason to travel outside the region of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, established under section 372 of the National Organ Transplantation Act (Public Law 98–507; 42 U.S.C. 274), in which the veteran resides to receive such transplant at a medical facility of the Department; or (II)faces an unusual or excessive burden in receiving such transplant at a medical facility of the Department, including— (aa)geographical challenges; (bb)environmental factors, including roads that are not accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous weather; (cc)a medical condition of the veteran that affects the ability to travel; or (dd)other factors the Secretary determines appropriate, including the preference of the veteran to receive such transplant at a non-Department facility.