Veterans

in committee · United States · Senate May 21, 2025

S 599: DRIVE Act of 2025

The DRIVE Act of 2025 updates how the Department of Veterans Affairs reimburses veterans for using personal vehicles for VA-related travel. It requires the VA to set mileage reimbursement rates equal to or higher than the federal government’s standard rate for employee travel (currently 41.5 cents per mile), replacing the fixed rate in current law. The bill also mandates that veterans receive these reimbursements within 90 days of submitting a valid claim. This directly affects veterans who travel for VA appointments or services using their personal vehicles.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases VA mileage reimbursement to federal standard rate (41.5¢/mile) and mandates 90-day processing, strengthening veterans' travel benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Sep 22, 2025

HR 5261: Veterans Emergency Care Reimbursement Act of 2025

This bill modifies reimbursement rules for veterans receiving emergency care at non-VA facilities. It ensures veterans with private health insurance won't be charged more than $100 for copayments on emergency treatment claims, excluding deductibles or coinsurance. The change applies to all claims submitted since February 2012, including those from the Wolfe v. McDonough class action case. This directly affects veterans who had private insurance coverage when seeking emergency care outside VA facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCaps veteran emergency care copayments at $100, preventing excessive out-of-pocket costs and improving access to emergency services under private insurance.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCaps emergency care copayments at $100 for veterans with private insurance, reducing financial burden and protecting access to care per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Jun 3, 2025

HR 3694: VALID Act of 2025

HR 3694, the VALID Act of 2025, requires lenders to include specific information about VA loans in mortgage disclosures. It amends the National Housing Act to mandate that disclosures state the loan-to-value ratio and clarify that VA loans are available under Chapter 37 of Title 38 (veterans' benefits law), assuming prevailing interest rates. The bill also requires the Federal Housing Finance Agency to add a military service question to the Uniform Residential Loan Application form, placing it above the signature line within six months of enactment. This directly affects veterans and active-duty service members applying for VA-guaranteed mortgages, as well as the lenders processing those applications.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransClarifies VA loan availability in disclosures, ensuring veterans access existing benefits through transparent mortgage processes90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Housing

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in committee · United States · House Feb 12, 2026

HR 2148: Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act

This bill extends medical coverage for 180 days after family caregivers stop providing personal care to veterans (unless dismissed for fraud), and adds employment support during this transition period. It provides up to $1,000 in reimbursement for certification fees, free training modules, and access to programs like Military OneSource and Veterans' Employment Services. The bill also requires studies on creating returnship programs for caregivers rejoining the workforce and on hiring former caregivers at VA facilities. Additionally, it mandates reports on retirement plan options for caregivers and VA efforts supporting their transition away from caregiving. The bill directly affects family caregivers designated under VA's program who are ending their caregiving role.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends medical coverage for caregivers and provides reimbursement for healthcare-related certifications, directly advancing healthcare access for veterans and caregivers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides $1,000 certification reimbursement, free training, and employment services to aid caregiver reemployment, strengthening workforce transition support.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends medical coverage for caregivers, provides employment support and training reimbursement, directly enhancing veteran support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Professional Licensing Retirement Benefits Workforce Development Military Families Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Jun 24, 2025

HR 2055: Caring for Survivors Act of 2025

The Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 increases monthly dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses of veterans. It changes the calculation method from a fixed $1,154 to 55% of a specific veteran compensation rate, effective six months after enactment. The bill also reduces the required continuous disability rating period for survivors from 10 years to 5 years, and provides a proportional payment for cases where the rating period is shorter than 10 years. Surviving spouses of veterans who died before January 1, 1993, receive the greater of their current benefit or the new calculation. This directly affects surviving spouses eligible for benefits under Title 38, U.S. Code, particularly those with veterans who died prior to 1993.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases compensation for surviving spouses by changing calculation method and reducing required disability period from 10 to 5 years, directly expanding benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Dec 19, 2025

HR 499: To rename the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Dallas, Texas, as the "Eddie Bernice Johnson VA Medical Center".

This bill renames the Dallas, Texas Department of Veterans Affairs medical center at 4500 South Lancaster Road as the "Eddie Bernice Johnson VA Medical Center." It directly affects the facility and all official references to it in federal documents, laws, and records. The key provision (Section 2(a)) officially changes the facility's name upon enactment, and Section 2(b) requires all future references to use the new name. The bill is procedural, honoring Congresswoman Johnson's service to veterans.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors veteran service via facility renaming, aligning with recognition indicator in support criteria95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House May 14, 2026

HR 7260: National Cemetery Administration Annual Report Act of 2026

HR 7260 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit an annual report to Congress starting one year after the bill's enactment, detailing the National Cemetery Administration's operations. The report must include specific data like interment numbers (by cemetery, veteran category, and casketed/cremated remains), customer satisfaction assessments, cemetery maps, construction projects, grant usage, and burial options. All reports must be made publicly available online in digital format. This bill directly affects the VA's reporting obligations and provides Congress with transparent, detailed oversight of veterans' cemetery services.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates annual VA reports on cemetery operations, burial data, and customer satisfaction - ensuring transparency and accountability for a core veterans' benefit (burial services)85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Jan 5, 2026

HR 6454: VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2025

HR 6454 establishes a 5-year pilot program at five Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers to improve suicide care for veterans. The program requires VA staff at these sites to complete a 10-week training curriculum based on the Zero Suicide Institute's model, focusing on suicide screening, risk assessment, safety planning, and care transitions. It mandates annual reports to Congress tracking staff training completion, policy alignment with the Institute's standards, and comparisons of suicide-related outcomes (like screenings and hospitalizations) between pilot sites and other VA facilities. The pilot includes one site primarily serving rural veterans and requires site selection based on factors like regional suicide rates and staff capacity. The program will conclude after five years unless the VA extends it for up to two more years.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes VA mental health training program to improve suicide care for veterans, directly supporting mental health services through staff training and standardized care protocols.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a pilot program to improve veteran suicide care through staff training and reporting, directly enhancing healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Nov 17, 2025

HR 5992: Stuck On Hold Act

HR 5992, the "Stuck On Hold Act," requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve wait times for veterans calling its standard customer service phone lines. Within one year of enactment, the VA must implement an automated system that tells callers their expected wait time and offers a callback if the wait exceeds 10 minutes. The bill also directs the VA Secretary to issue guidance aimed at reducing the average call wait time to 10 minutes or less. This directly affects veterans calling VA service lines (excluding the 38 U.S.C. §1720F(h) hotline and emergency department lines).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves VA healthcare access by reducing wait times for veterans calling customer service, enhancing patient access to health services.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires VA to reduce call wait times, improving veterans' access to services and enhancing VA customer support responsiveness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · Senate May 21, 2025

S 585: Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025

S 585, the Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025, creates an automated pre-registration system to streamline health care enrollment for service members transitioning to veterans. It requires the VA to automatically register service members 180 days before separation into a pre-transition system, followed by outreach (via email, mail, or phone) to explain enrollment steps and available services, including initial appointment scheduling. The bill mandates the VA to simplify enrollment processes, improve coordination with the Department of Defense, and report annually on registration and enrollment outcomes. This directly affects all service members anticipating separation from the Armed Forces who may seek VA health care, aiming to reduce transition barriers and improve access to care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomates VA healthcare enrollment for transitioning veterans, improving access to services without restrictions or defunding.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates automated pre-registration system and requires VA to use email, mail, or phone for outreach, advancing digital health care enrollment technology for service members transitioning to veterans.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAutomates VA enrollment for transitioning veterans, simplifies healthcare access, and mandates proactive outreach - directly advancing veteran health care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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