“(a) In general.—There is established within the Department a national External Provider Scheduling Program (in this section referred to as the ‘Program’) to assist the Department in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title.

“(b) Elements of program.—The Program shall consist of technology that allows schedulers of the Department to view the schedules of health care providers participating in the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title and schedule, in real-time, appointments for care and services under such section.

“(c) Use of contracts.—The Secretary shall carry out the Program through an existing contract entered into by the Department, if feasible, or a new contract.

“(d) Reduction in wait times.—The Secretary shall ensure that the Program—

“(1) reduces the time (measured in days) from referral of veterans to health care providers under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title to the actual scheduling of appointments for care or services under such section; and

“(2) reduces the time (measured in days and hours) for schedulers of the Department to schedule appointments for care or services under such section.

“(e) Annual report.—Not later than September 30 of each year through 2028, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the progress of the Secretary in establishing the Program.”.

“(a) In general.—There is established within the Department a national External Provider Scheduling Program (in this section referred to as the ‘Program’) to assist the Department in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title.

“(b) Elements of program.—The Program shall consist of technology that allows schedulers of the Department to view the schedules of health care providers participating in the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title and schedule, in real-time, appointments for care and services under such section.

“(c) Use of contracts.—The Secretary shall carry out the Program through an existing contract entered into by the Department, if feasible, or a new contract.

“(d) Reduction in wait times.—The Secretary shall ensure that the Program—

“(1) reduces the time (measured in days) from referral of veterans to health care providers under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title to the actual scheduling of appointments for care or services under such section; and

“(2) reduces the time (measured in days and hours) for schedulers of the Department to schedule appointments for care or services under such section.

“(e) Annual report.—Not later than September 30 of each year through 2028, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the progress of the Secretary in establishing the Program.”.