; or (ii) requested a first-time appointment for hospital care or medical services at a Department facility. . 102. Establishment of VA Care in the Community Program (a) Establishment of program (1) In general Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1703 the following new section: 1703A. VA Care in the Community Program (a) Program (1) Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, hospital care, medical services, and extended care services under this chapter shall be furnished to an eligible veteran through contracts or agreements authorized under subsection (d), or contracts or agreements, including national contracts or agreements, authorized under section 8153 of this title or any other provision of law administered by the Secretary, with network providers for the furnishing of such care and services to veterans. (2) Subject to subsection (b), an eligible veteran may select a provider of such care or services from among network providers. (3) The Secretary shall coordinate the furnishing of care and services under this section to eligible veterans. (4) (A) In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall establish regional networks of network providers. The Secretary shall determine, and may modify, such regions based on the capacity and market assessments of Veterans Integrated Service Networks conducted under subsection (k) or upon recognized need. (B) The Secretary may enter into one or more contracts for the purposes of managing the operations of the regional networks and for the delivery of care pursuant to this section. (b) Primary and specialty care (1) (A) If the Secretary is unable to assign an eligible veteran to a patient-aligned care team or dedicated primary care provider under section 1706(d) of this title because the Secretary determines such a care team or provider at a Department facility is not available— (i) the Secretary shall consult with the veteran regarding available primary care providers from among network providers that are