A new law took effect at the beginning of the year to help veterans receive medical care faster.

Six months later, we checked in with the Choice Act to see what kind of effect it has had.

“In four months I stand upright, I walk without pain, and I haven’t taken Vicodin in more than three months,” said William Boyce.

Boyce is a Vietnam war veteran who suffered a severe back injury seven years ago. Boyce said he always had trouble getting into the already crowded VA clinic.

“It’s hard to get an appointment with the VA," he said. "The VA is backed up."

Since the Choice Act was enacted, Boyce is finally getting faster care. The Choice Act allows veterans who live more than 40 miles from a clinic and who have to wait 30 days for a doctor’s appointment to go to an outside provider.

“By allowing veterans to use the Choice program, a lot of issues can be handled in a proper manner,” said Boyce.

Boyce says he’s one of the lucky ones. Many veterans are still having issues getting enrolled, which is something Rep. Gus Bilirakis recognizes.

“That’s the problem," he said. "The veteran calls the VA, then the VA refers them to a third party and then the process begins."

In the Bay area, there are over 100 providers enrolled in the program but not without some problems.

“The providers aren’t being paid timely. We need to work on that more,” Bilirakis said. “The VA needs to pay more timely. We’ve heard that from the providers.”

Bilirakis says kinks can be expected, and that more work need to be done for the program, but he still believes in it.

“We need to do more town hall meetings," he said. "The VA needs to get out there and publicize the program more. I definitely think that public awareness is an issue.”

Bilirakis, along with his veteran constituents like Boyce, hope that with time the process will become more seamless. In the meantime, he asks anyone who is having issues with enrolling to contact his office.

The program will end either when the $10 billion in funds are used or by August 2017.