Page 18 - Desert Oracle December 2020

• The Market Area Health Systems Optimization (MAHSO) project is an initiative to conduct
market assessments for each of VA’s 96 health care markets that will help VA provide the
best health care for Veterans and their families.
• In accordance with the VA MISSION Act of 2018, market assessments will assist VA’s
ongoing effort to develop high-performing networks of care that will improve access and
quality of care for Veteran across the country.
• All market assessments will take place in three phases, assessing six regional networks at
a time. The SAVAHCS is currently in phase 3.
• Our role in phase 3 is to meet with contractors and the VA Central Office (VACO) program
office and provide guidance to the field as they complete data validation and analysis.
• As part of the process outlined within the MISSION Act, VA has worked closely with
national VSOs to develop decision criteria that will inform the recommendations.
o During the week of December 14, VA senior leaders will be hosting virtual listening
sessions to hear feedback on the criteria.
o The feedback will be crucial as VA finalizes the requirements, including Federal
Register publication of draft criteria, followed by a public comment period before
final publication.
o Four sessions will be held on the following dates and times.
▪ Monday, December 14, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EST
▪ Wednesday, December 16, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. EST
▪ Thursday, December 17, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST
▪ Friday, December 18, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST
o Please respond to vet-friendlycommunities@va.gov with the dates and times that
will work best for you, along with the following information:
▪ Name:
▪ Email address:
▪ City, State:
▪ Prior to the virtual listening session, you will be provided with a confirmation
and a link, and a phone number.

Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregiver Expansion

• Eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is
expanding new “Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
Improvements and Amendments” changes began in October.
• For more information, please click HERE.

Preparing for the end of VA's debt relief program

• Back in July 2020, VA extended its debt relief program to Veterans who were adversely
impacted by COVID-19 to the end of 2020 by suspending certain debt collection actions.