Senate Tweaks Health Law to Boost Veteran's Care

The Senate has passed a bill further expanding a law giving veterans easier access to federally paid medical care from private doctors.

The bill relaxes a rule that makes getting specialized care from local doctors difficult for some veterans in rural areas. Senators approved the measure by voice vote Friday.

The Senate bill would open up private care to veterans who live within 40 miles of a medical facility run by the Department of Veterans Affairs, so long as the VA site does not offer the needed care.

If passed by House and signed into law, the bill would be the second change this year to the so-called 40-mile rule, which requires veterans to demonstrate they live at least 40 miles from a VA health site to get private care.