Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB668

Introduced

1/23/25

Refer

1/23/25

Refer

3/4/25

Caption

Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors ActThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program to coordinate, navigate, and manage care and benefits for veterans who are enrolled in both the Medicare program and the VA health care system.

Impact

If passed, HB668 will significantly stress the importance of cohesive healthcare management for veterans, thus amending how care is provided across veteran services. It aims to eliminate redundancies in care services while potentially lowering the costs incurred by veterans by providing a more seamless healthcare experience. The bill also instructs the Secretary to track important metrics related to veteran care outcomes and service utilization, thereby establishing a foundation for assessing both efficiency and effectiveness in veteran healthcare.

Summary

House Bill 668, known as the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act, mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to execute a pilot program intended to enhance care coordination for veterans enrolled in both the Medicare system and the VA's patient enrollment system. This initiative aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes by integrating services across various healthcare providers. The pilot program will span a three-year period and will be implemented across multiple Veterans Integrated Service Networks, specifically targeting areas with diverse urbanization and rural regions.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding HB668 may arise in terms of its implementation and operational feasibility. Critics might express concern over the dependence on private sector contracting for healthcare service coordination, questioning the efficacy of navigating between Medicare services and VA services. Additionally, there may be discussions regarding the adequacy of funding for necessary resources and whether the integration of various healthcare models is sufficient to meet the diverse needs of veterans, especially those in rural or underserved areas.

Congress_id

119-HR-668

Policy_area

Armed Forces and National Security

Introduced_date

2025-01-23

Latest HB668 Activity

Companion Bills

US SB506

Identical bill Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act

Previously Filed As

US HB9399

Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act

US SB4437

Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act

US HB10038

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot program on the provision of naloxone to veterans and their caregivers, and for other purposes.

US HB10153

Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act

US HB492

Be Ready to Assist Veterans in Extremis Act or the BRAVE Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a patient outreach system under which it must ensure that veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system and have experienced a traumatic or highly stressful event may elect to receive information and resources relating to mental health and available mental health care services. The VA must coordinate the system with the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense.

US HB10369

To improve the emergency management capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

US HB214

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.

US HB6338

Veterans’ Cancer Care Coordinator Act of 2023

US SB5624

A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an integrated project team to improve the process for scheduling appointments for health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

US HB394

Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from denying a veteran any VA benefit due to participation in a state-approved marijuana program. For veterans participating in these approved programs, the VA must ensure its health care providers (1) discuss marijuana use with such veterans and adjust treatment plans accordingly, and (2) record such use in the veterans' medical records. Under the bill, the VA shall authorize physicians and other VA health care providers to provide recommendations to veterans who are residents of states with approved programs.