Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB234

Introduced
1/10/23  
Refer
1/10/23  

Caption

Gerald's Law Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide a burial and funeral allowance for a veteran who dies from a non-service-connected disability in a home or other setting at which the veteran was receiving VA hospice care (if such care was directly preceded by VA hospital or nursing home care).

Impact

If enacted, HB 234 would modify existing statutory provisions to expand the eligibility criteria for burial allowances for veterans, aligning with contemporary approaches to veteran care that favor home hospice services over traditional institutionalized care. Supporters of the bill argue that it recognizes the increasing trend of hospice care at home for veterans, reflecting a compassionate and responsive framework that acknowledges their preferences and needs. This amendment is anticipated to significantly uplift the financial burden on families of veterans who choose to die at home under hospice care, thereby fulfilling the nation's commitment to honor these veterans posthumously.

Summary

House Bill 234, titled the 'Gerald's Law Act', seeks to amend Title 38 of the United States Code to provide a burial allowance for veterans who pass away at home while receiving hospice care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This allowance is applicable specifically to veterans who die from non-service-connected disabilities, provided they were previously receiving institutional care, such as hospital or nursing home care, from the VA. This bill is a significant adjustment designed to cater to the unique circumstances of veterans who prefer to receive care in the comfort of their homes rather than in institutional settings.

Contention

While there is broad support for the general intent of HB 234, discussions surrounding its passage may center on the nuances of eligibility and funding for the proposed burial allowances. Critics might propose that the expansion of entitlements could strain the already stretched budgets of the VA, necessitating a careful examination of resource allocation. Balancing the need for comprehensive veteran support with fiscal responsibility is expected to be a central point of contention in legislative debates on this bill.

Companion Bills

US HB1669

Related bill VET–TEC Authorization Act of 2023

US SB1330

Related bill Gerald’s Law Act

Previously Filed As

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 HB2526

S.O.S. Veterans Caregivers Act Support Our Services to Veterans Caregivers Act

US HB491

Return Home to Housing Act This bill increases the maximum rate of per diem payments provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to entities (i.e., grant recipients or authorized entities) that furnish services and transitional housing to homeless veterans. The bill also specifies that the VA may adjust the per diem rate in response to an emergency.

US HB41

VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that when a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system contacts the VA by telephone to schedule an appointment for care or services at a VA facility, the scheduling for the appointment occurs during that telephone call.

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 HB10430

To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish hospital care and medical services outside a State to veterans with service-connected disabilities rated as permanent and total, and for other purposes.

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 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 HB5697

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure veterans may obtain a physical copy of a certain form by mail or at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.