Gonzalez Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Make Healthcare More Affordable to Veterans

Press Release

Today Representatives Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), Lauren Underwood (IL-04), and Lee Zeldin (NY-01) reintroduced the Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act, legislation designed to make healthcare more affordable for our nation's veterans. This bill would eliminate veterans' copayments for medication, hospital care, and medical services related to preventive health services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This legislation was also introduced in the Senate by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Susan Collins (R-ME).

"When it comes to supporting the men and women who selflessly sacrificed so much to defend our country, there is truly never enough we can do to repay them for their service," Gonzalez said. "Our veterans deserve affordable access to quality preventive medical care and services. This bipartisan legislation will help achieve this commitment by eliminating copayments for medication and other preventive medical services. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation."

"It is unconscionable that veterans who have served our country bear financial burdens that military retirees, federal employees, and most civilians do not have to worry about. The Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act makes preventive health services like cancer screenings, immunizations, and well-woman visits more affordable for veterans by eliminating copays, just like most private insurance plans," said Rep. Underwood. "I'm pleased to introduce this bipartisan bill with Senator Duckworth and Representatives Zeldin and Gonzalez to lower health care costs for veterans and ensure that our nation's heroes can access the health services they need."

"Too many veterans return home only to face overwhelming healthcare costs at the VA for conditions associated with their service," said Rep. Zeldin. "This legislation takes important steps to make preventative health services more affordable and accessible for veterans, and I'm proud to work in bipartisan fashion with Rep. Lauren Underwood to improve the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for our country."

"The Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act is an important step to fulfilling our nations promise to help our veterans," said Troy Bradfield, Commander Chapter #6 of the Disabled American Veterans. "We as a chapter feel that the VA aligning their co-payment policies on preventative care and medications with the private sector is a great service to the veteran population. This type of action would immediately relieve the financial burden placed on veterans that are already met with financial hardships in today's economy. Moreover, it shows a continued commitment to aid and assist female veterans and their families."

Background

Under current law, veterans receiving care through the VA have to make copayments for preventive prescription medications and services. Preventive services are generally covered without cost sharing by nearly all private insurance companies. The Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act would require the VA to cover services such as immunizations, mental health screenings, woman health visits and breast cancer screenings.

Gonzalez has been a consistent advocate for our nations veterans introducing the Daniel J. Harvey Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act and the Improving Housing Incomes for Veterans Act this Congress.

The Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act is endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

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