Removing Extraneous Loopholes Insuring Every Veteran Emergency Act
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 815) to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 815
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Removing Extraneous Loopholes Insuring Every Veteran Emergency Act'' or the ``RELIEVE Act''. SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT FURNISHED TO VETERANS.
(a) Eligibility Requirements.--Section 1725(b)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``, unless such emergency treatment was furnished during the 60- day period following the date on which the veteran enrolled in the health care system specified in subparagraph (A), in which case no requirement for prior receipt of care shall apply'' before the period.
(b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to emergency treatment furnished on or after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.
The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``November 14, 2031'' each place it appears and inserting ``December 28, 2031''.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. 815, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 815, the RELIEVE Act, as amended.
This bill would close a loophole by covering emergency room medical expenses for veterans that are newly enrolled in VA care.
Under current law, VA does not reimburse veterans for emergency care received in the community if they have not visited a VA facility within 2 years. This policy includes veterans who are newly enrolled in the VA healthcare system but may not be considered active patients.
As a result, inactive veteran patients and their families could be met with undue payment burdens if they receive urgent medical treatment outside the VA.
Representative McMorris Rodgers' bill, H.R. 815, as amended, will correctly close this gap in emergency room services. This will help those in need at their most vulnerable time by extending VA reimbursement for 60 days after the veteran's enrollment in the VA healthcare.
As chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and a veteran, I have heard from fellow veterans who have been wrongfully affected by this confusing policy. One of my top priorities in Congress is to ensure that veterans receive necessary care without worrying about payment burdens and bureaucratic red tape.
I thank the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bergman), and the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas) for introducing this commonsense legislation that takes care of our Nation's veterans by making sure they receive the care that they deserve.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source