Veterans' True Choice Act of 2023 This bill allows covered veterans to receive coverage under TRICARE Select, a health care program of the Department of Defense (DOD). Veterans covered by this bill include those with service-connected disabilities, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, those discharged from service due to disability, and those entitled to disability compensation. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must reimburse DOD's costs of enrolling eligible veteran beneficiaries in the program. A covered veteran may not concurrently receive medical care from DOD and the VA.
Impact
The bill amends existing legislation to allow covered veteran beneficiaries to enroll in TRICARE Select, which is administered by the Department of Defense. The ramifications of this legislation are significant, as it not only expands access to essential healthcare services for veterans but also establishes cost-sharing requirements that align with existing provisions. The Department of Veterans Affairs is tasked with reimbursing the Department of Defense for the expenses incurred in enrolling these veterans, ensuring that the program remains financially viable.
Summary
House Bill 214, titled the 'Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2023', aims to amend Title 10 of the United States Code to extend eligibility for the TRICARE Select program to veterans who have service-connected disabilities. This legislation seeks to enhance the healthcare options available to veterans, particularly those who may not currently qualify for comprehensive health coverage. The inclusion of various categories of veterans, such as former prisoners of war and recipients of the Medal of Honor, underscores the bill's commitment to supporting those who've served in the military.
Contention
While the bill has garnered support for its intentions to improve veterans' healthcare, there are concerns regarding the restriction it places on concurrent enrollment in both TRICARE and the VA healthcare system. Critics argue that this could create gaps in care for veterans who may need to navigate between different health systems. Additionally, as the bill implements a phased approach over a year following its enactment, its effectiveness will be closely monitored and scrutinized during the reported periods, which could affect public and legislative sentiment over time.
Veterans Health Care Freedom Act This bill requires the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program to improve the ability of veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system to access hospital care, medical services, and extended care services through the covered care system by providing such veterans with the ability to choose health care providers. Under the bill, the covered care system includes VA medical facilities, health care providers participating in the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP), and eligible entities or providers that have entered into a Veterans Care Agreement. A veteran participating in the program may elect to receive care at any provider in the covered care system. The pilot program removes certain requirements (e.g., location of the veteran) to access care at VA and non-VA facilities. After four years, the bill permanently phases out the requirements for accessing care under the VCCP and Veterans Care Agreements and requires the VA to provide such care under the same conditions of the pilot program. Additionally, after four years, veterans may receive care at a VA medical facility regardless of whether the facility is in the same Veterans Integrated Service Network as the veteran.
Gerald's Law Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide a burial and funeral allowance for a veteran who dies from a non-service-connected disability in a home or other setting at which the veteran was receiving VA hospice care (if such care was directly preceded by VA hospital or nursing home care).
A RESOLUTION recognizing the filing of the Major Richard Star Act, a bill exploring an opportunity for veterans with disabilities to receive their full United States Department of Defense retirement pay and United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation without offset.
A JOINT RESOLUTION urging the United States Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act to ensure veterans with disabilities receive their full United States Department of Defense retirement pay and United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation without offset.
Directs the veterans service commission to submit a report regarding coordinated services for veterans with service-connected disabilities to the commissioner of veterans' services by April 1, 2029.
Directs the veterans service commission to submit a report regarding coordinated services for veterans with service-connected disabilities to the commissioner of veterans' services by April 1, 2029.
Relating to the development and implementation of a veterans health care coverage program to assist certain veterans in obtaining health care coverage.
Determines that disability compensation or benefits received by veterans from the United States department of veterans affairs are not to be treated as income or resources for purposes of determining eligibility for means-tested programs.
Determines that disability compensation or benefits received by veterans from the United States department of veterans affairs are not to be treated as income or resources for purposes of determining eligibility for means-tested programs.