U.S. Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV) on July 30 proposed bipartisan legislation that would direct the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a two-year pilot program through the Veterans Community Care Program to connect eligible military veterans with qualified virtual care providers. The Virtual-Based Opioid Treatment for Veterans Act would expand access to evidence-based treatment for veterans with opioid use disorder (OUD) when distance, long wait times, transportation challenges, or provider shortages make it difficult for a veteran to receive in-person care at a VA facility. “Too many veterans struggling with opioid addiction face barriers to treatment because of long wait times or a lack of access to in-person care,” Rep. Miller said. “This bill provides a common-sense solution by expanding access to life-saving treatment through telehealth, if and only when veterans cannot receive timely care at a clinic. The bill is endorsed by the Veterans Resilience Project of North Carolina, Veterans Life Center of North Carolina, the North Carolina Medical Society, the Behavioral Health Association of Providers, Project VBOT, Breaking Barriers to Substance Use Recovery, Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, and the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium.