BUSINESS PLANS FOR ENHANCED ACCESS TO OUTPATIENT CARE IN CERTAIN RURAL AREAS.

SEC. 822. BUSINESS PLANS FOR ENHANCED ACCESS TO OUTPATIENT CARE IN CERTAIN RURAL AREAS.(a) Requirement.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a business plan for enhanced access to outpatient care (as described in subsection (b)) for primary care, mental health care, and specialty care in each of the following areas:(1) The Lewiston-Auburn area of Maine.(2) The area of Houlton, Maine.(3) The area of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine.(4) Whiteside County, Illinois.(b) Means of Enhanced Access.—The means of enhanced access to outpatient care to be covered by the business plans under subsection (a) are, with respect to each area specified in that subsection, one or more of the following:(1) New sites of care.(2) Expansions at existing sites of care.(3) Use of existing authority and policies to contract for care where necessary.(4) Increased use of telemedicine.