Summary

This testimony discusses the financial and policy implications of the veterans' health care provisions in the administration's proposed Health Security Act. GAO focuses on (1) veterans health coverage under Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) and other federal programs; (2) factors that will likely affect the potential population of enrollees in VA health plans; (3) the potential costs associated with the expanded entitlement and supplemental benefits provisions of the Health Security Act; and (4) VA's ability to set realistic premiums and the implications of inaccurate premiums for cost, quality, and access to care for VA clients.