Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB226

Introduced
1/9/23  
Refer
1/9/23  

Caption

Veterans Collaboration Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a two-year pilot program in states with the highest veteran populations to promote collaboration between the VA, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher learning. The VA shall emphasize collaboration with (1) veterans service organizations that provide personnel with appropriate credentials to assist veterans in filing disability compensation claims and appeals with the VA, and (2) educational institutions that provide veterans with pro bono legal assistance.

Impact

The implementation of HB 226 aims to improve the overall support available to veterans by fostering cooperation between governmental bodies and community organizations. By focusing on states with the highest veteran populations, this bill intends to create localized resources that can effectively tackle the unique challenges faced by veterans in different regions. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is tasked with developing metrics to evaluate the success of participating organizations and institutions, thereby ensuring that the most effective services are promoted and utilized.

Summary

House Bill 226, known as the Veterans Collaboration Act, establishes a two-year pilot program directed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This program is designed to enhance collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and nonprofit organizations as well as institutions of higher learning that provide essential administrative assistance to veterans. The act emphasizes partnerships with veterans service organizations that can help veterans navigate the claims process for disability compensation and with educational institutions that offer pro bono legal assistance to veterans.

Contention

Some points of contention around HB 226 may arise from discussions on funding, accountability, and effectiveness of pilot programs. Critics could argue that simply establishing collaborations will not adequately address the deeper systemic issues faced by veterans, such as inadequate access to healthcare or bureaucratic hurdles in claiming benefits. Furthermore, the requirement for quarterly reports might lead to scrutiny regarding how effectively the pilot program actually serves the veterans' community and whether it generates significant improvements compared to existing resources.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB552

Veterans Collaboration ActThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a two-year pilot program to promote and encourage partnerships between the VA and nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning. Specifically, the VA must encourage partnerships between (1) veterans service organizations that provide credentialed personnel to assist veterans with legal needs, and (2) law schools that provide pro bono legal assistance and legal services to veterans.

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 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.

US HB71

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.

US HB236

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate one week per year as Battle Buddy Check Week for the purposes of organizing outreach events and educating veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks. The VA shall ensure that the Veterans Crisis Line has a plan for handling the potential increase in calls that may occur during such week.

US HB728

To direct the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training to carry out a pilot program on short-term fellowship programs for veterans.

US HB244

Veterans' True Choice Act of 2025This 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 HB1182

Veterans Serving Veterans Act of 2023

US HB1290

Veterans Mental Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program under which Vet Centers and VA medical facilities provide veterans who are experiencing mental health crises with referrals to approved non-VA mental health care providers.The VA must report on the implementation, outcomes, and effectiveness of the pilot program.

US HB5153

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to employ veterans in certain wildland firefighting activities.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.