Mike Bost
Representative for Illinois · Republican · United States
“(B) Elements.--The Secretary, in coordination with participating critical access hospitals, shall ensure that any contract, agreement, or other arrangement entered into under subparagraph (A) establishes criteria, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to ensure-- (i) the provision of timely, safe, and high-quality health care services t…”
“(B) Elements.--The Secretary, in coordination with participating critical access hospitals, shall ensure that any contract, agreement, or other arrangement entered into under subparagraph (A) establishes criteria, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to ensure-- (i) the provision of timely, safe, and high-quality health care services t…”
“(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2306(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual a headstone or marker under this section, or any interment benefit under…”
“(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2306(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual a headstone or marker under this section, or any interment benefit under…”
“(d) Update of Information on Providers.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care or successor office, shall develop a process to ensure that third party administrators regularly, not less frequently than quarterly-- (1) update their lists of communit…”
“(d) Update of Information on Providers.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care or successor office, shall develop a process to ensure that third party administrators regularly, not less frequently than quarterly-- (1) update their lists of communit…”
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“FEDORCHAK and Mr. FROST changed their vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.'' So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________”
“Gooden Goodlander Gosar Gottheimer Graves Gray Green, Al (TX) Griffith Grijalva Grothman Guest Guthrie Hageman Hamadeh (AZ) Harder (CA) Haridopolos Harrigan Harris (MD) Harris (NC) Harshbarger Hayes Hern (OK) Higgins (LA) Hill (AR) Himes Hinson Horsford Houchin Houlahan Hoyer Hoyle (OR) Hudson Huffman Huizenga Hurd (CO) Issa Ivey Jack Jackson (IL) Jackson (TX) Jacobs James Jayapal Jeffries Johnson (GA) Johnson (LA) Johnson (SD) Johnson (TX) Jordan Joyce (OH) Joyce (PA) Kamlager-Dove Kaptur Kean Keating Kelly (IL) Kelly (MS) Kelly (PA) Kennedy (NY) Kennedy (UT) Khanna Kiggans (VA) Kiley (CA) Kim Knott Krishnamoorthi Kustoff LaHood LaLota Landsman Langworthy Larsen (WA) Larson (CT) Latimer Latta Lawler Lee (FL) Lee (NV) Lee (PA) Leger Fernandez Letlow Levin Liccardo Lieu Lofgren Loudermilk Lucas Luna Luttrell Lynch Mackenzie Magaziner Malliotakis Maloy Mann Mannion Massie Mast Matsui McBath McBride McCaul McClain McClain Delaney McClellan McClintock McCollum McCormick McDonald Rivet McDowell McGarvey McGovern McGuire McIver Meeks Mejia Menefee Menendez Meng Messmer Meuser Mfume Miller (IL) Miller-Meeks Mills Min Moolenaar Moore (AL) Moore (NC) Moore (UT) Moore (WI) Moore (WV) Moran Morelle Morrison Moskowitz Mrvan Mullin Murphy Neal Neguse Nehls Newhouse Norcross Norman Nunn (IA) Obernolte Ocasio-Cortez Ogles Olszewski Omar Onder Owens Pallone Palmer Panetta Pappas Patronis Pelosi Perry Peters Pettersen Pfluger Pingree Pocan Pou Pressley Ramirez Randall Raskin Reschenthaler Riley (NY) Rivas Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY) Rose Ross Rouzer Roy Ruiz Rulli Rutherford Ryan Salinas Sanchez Scalise Scanlon Schakowsky Schmidt Schneider Scholten Schrier Schweikert Scott (VA) Scott, Austin Self Sessions Sewell Sherman Shreve Simon Simpson Smith (MO) Smith (NE) Smith (NJ) Smith (WA) Smucker Sorensen Soto Spartz Stansbury Stanton Stauber Steil Steube Stevens Strickland Strong Stutzman Subramanyam Suozzi Sykes Takano Taylor Tenney Thanedar Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Thompson (PA) Tiffany Timmons Titus Tlaib Tokuda Tonko Torres (CA) Torres (NY) Trahan Tran Turner (OH) Underwood Valadao Van Drew Van Duyne Van Epps Van Orden Vargas Vasquez Veasey Velazquez Vindman Wagner Walberg Walkinshaw Wasserman Schultz Waters Watson Coleman Weber (TX) Webster (FL) Westerman Whitesides Wied Williams (GA) Williams (TX) Wilson (FL) Wilson (SC) Wittman Womack Yakym Zinke NOT VOTING--13 Boebert Davis (NC) Dingell Hunt Mace Miller (OH) Miller (WV) Moulton Nadler Perez Quigley Salazar Stefanik {time} 1050 Mrs.”
“248] YEAS--418 Adams Aderholt Aguilar Alford Allen Amo Amodei (NV) Ansari Arrington Auchincloss Babin Bacon Baird Balderson Balint Barr Barragan Barrett Baumgartner Bean (FL) Beatty Begich Bell Bentz Bera Bergman Beyer Bice Biggs (AZ) Biggs (SC) Bilirakis Bishop Bonamici Bost Boyle (PA) Brecheen Bresnahan Brown Brownley Buchanan Budzinski Burchett Burlison Bynum Calvert Cammack Carbajal Carey Carson Carter (GA) Carter (LA) Carter (TX) Casar Case Casten Castor (FL) Castro (TX) Chu Ciscomani Cisneros Clark (MA) Clarke (NY) Cleaver Cline Cloud Clyburn Clyde Cohen Cole Collins Comer Conaway Correa Costa Courtney Craig Crane Crank Crawford Crenshaw Crockett Crow Cuellar Davids (KS) Davidson Davis (IL) De La Cruz Dean (PA) DeGette DeLauro DelBene Deluzio DeSaulnier DesJarlais Dexter Diaz-Balart Doggett Donalds Downing Dunn (FL) Edwards Elfreth Ellzey Emmer Escobar Espaillat Estes Evans (CO) Evans (PA) Ezell Fallon Fedorchak Feenstra Fields Figures Fine Finstad Fischbach Fitzgerald Fitzpatrick Fleischmann Fletcher Flood Fong Foster Foushee Foxx Frankel, Lois Franklin, Scott Friedman Frost Fry Fulcher Fuller Gallagher Garamendi Garbarino Garcia (CA) Garcia (IL) Garcia (TX) Gill (TX) Gillen Gimenez Golden (ME) Goldman (NY) Goldman (TX) Gomez Gonzalez, V.”
“Bost) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill. The question was taken. [[Page H4614]] The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 418, nays 0, not voting 13, as follows: [Roll No.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4613-H4614] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] COLONEL MICHAEL H. BOYCE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MULTISPECIALTY CLINIC The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the question on suspending the rules and passing the bill (H.R. 5362) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs multispecialty clinic in Marietta, Georgia, as the ``Colonel Michael H. Boyce Department of Veterans Affairs Multispecialty Clinic'', on which the yeas and nays were ordered. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.”
“I would encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hurd). All time for debate has now expired. Pursuant to House Resolution 1423, the previous question is ordered on the bill, as amended. The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill. The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was read the third time. Motion to Recommit”
“If you don't believe this marine is serious about helping veterans--and I am telling you I took a lot of crap this week--I can tell you this: I will stand and always stand for my veterans. I am the son of a veteran. I am the grandson of a veteran. I am the nephew of a veteran. I am the father of a veteran, and I am the grandfather of two of them. Mr. Speaker, I have heard a lot this week. I am going to tell you, we have worked hard and did the best we can to put the best bill forward. It is the best bill that has been around in decades. Do we want the bureaucrats to make the decision and not support those areas where we are trying to help our veterans? You can love it. You can hate it, but I am telling you, this is the best thing we can do for veterans right now.”
“Also, whether they want to admit it or not, the problem with most of these organizations that were in opposition is because they didn't want the offset. That offset, as I have told you this morning, as the VA has said exactly what we said, they are going to implement it. The question for my colleagues is very simple: Do they want to use their Article I power to make decisions, as we should in Congress, to direct that money to our veterans and where they need it? We have sat and looked at these over and over again. We have also passed some of these bills and sent them over to the Senate to die because they don't have an offset. This isn't an easy game, and it is not a game.”
“Those organizations represent veterans, survivors, Gold Star families, wounded veterans, military families, advocates, and professionals who work directly with the people this bill would help. When the ranking member claims that veterans do not want this package, that ignores millions of voices in the veterans' community who are asking Congress to act. This bill includes longstanding priorities for veterans and, importantly, it does so in a way that is paid for and capable of actually moving from here to the Senate and to the President's desk. At some point, we have to decide whether we are going to keep talking about these promises or actually move a package that can become law. I believe that this package is a serious, responsible step forward, and I reject the idea that veterans do not want this Congress to act on this bill.”
“The package has support from a wide range of organizations, including The American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Mission Roll Call, Wounded Warrior Project, Military Officers Association of America, AMVETS, Concerned Veterans for America, Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors, Gold Star Spouses of America, the Veterans Survivor Coalition, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans Justice Alliance, the National Association of State Approving Agencies, the ALS Association, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Air Force Sergeants Association, American Optometric Association, Avalon Action Alliance, Career Education Colleges and Universities, Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS, K9s for Warriors, Korean War Veterans Association, Military Chaplains Association, National Defense Committee, National Military Family Association, USCG Chief Petty Officers Association, Americans for Prosperity, National Federal Development Association, National Taxpayers Union, and the Association of Mature American Citizens.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. I will respond to a few claims that the veterans do not want this package. It is just not true. The ranking member can disagree on the bill. He can disagree on the offset. He can argue that they would have written the package differently, but I do not think it is accurate to suggest the veterans' community, as a whole, is somehow united against this legislative package.”
“That is exactly the position of the VA and their administration. That was said this morning. It was sent out this morning. It is now being reported in the news.”
“Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the Representative from Florida's 12th District.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I don't think that the ranking member is caught up on current events. Just recently, just to confirm what we already knew, the VA officials confirmed that they are moving ahead with the changes on tinnitus, sleep apnea, and disability benefits. VA has made no move to withdraw the sleep apnea and/or those from the changes that will then save the money that then the bureaucrats will control. So as we are moving forward--I mean, the ranking member can keep saying things that aren't true, or he can admit this is an issue, and that is where we are coming up with the revenue. That being said, let me tell you the next person I want to yield time to has worked on the Major Richard Star Act for years, as did his father before him. With that, Mr.”
“The question is whether the savings associated with the proposed deployment and changes by the VA should remain in their control and the bureaucrats' control, or do we make it through our Article I power to reinvest into our veterans and their families. H.R. 9237 chooses veterans. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to look at the testimony of Josh Jacobs, Biden Under Secretary for Benefits, and Nina Tann, President Trump's Executive Director of the Compensation Service at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Taylor), a good friend.”
“In testimony before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee in January 2026, VA officials stated that the Department intended to continue moving forward with respiratory ear-body system, rulemaking, and anticipated completing those efforts by the end of year 2026. That testimony was not given by career staff acting alone. In fact, just this morning, VA officials confirmed that they are planning to move forward with the proposed rule on sleep apnea and tinnitus. The testimony represents the official position of the Department at the time it was delivered to Congress. The question before us is not whether Congress created these proposed changes. We did not. VA's announcement makes their intention clear. This is moving forward regardless, but Ranking Member Takano would rather play politics.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the ranking member knows VA has an obligation to update disability conditions based on the latest science and medicine. In his opening, he said that I am not a doctor. He is right. I am a marine. I am a truck driver, and somehow I have been blessed to serve our veterans as the chairman of the committee. He is not a doctor either. Likewise, he has been blessed by his community to be here, but what I do want to say is, for the record, the proposed changes for sleep apnea and tinnitus aren't developed by Congress. They were developed by VA physicians. They are doctors--medical experts, doctors--and researchers under the Biden administration as part of the ongoing disability rating modernization efforts.”
“9237 asks a simple question: Do we have veterans' backs? Do we have the backs of fellow Americans who raise their right hand to serve in defense of this great country, the Gold Star families who carry the cost of their loved one's sacrifice, or caregivers who every single day care for a disabled veteran family member? For me, the answer will always be ``yes,'' both during service and after. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.”
“Mr. Speaker, veterans groups from The American Legion to the Wounded Warrior Project support this bill. Survivor groups like the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors support this bill. Caregiver organizations, like the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, support this bill. They all want this bill to pass. Chairman Moran and I have worked for months to try to enact a law that will help the greatest number of veterans. I believe we have offered that kind of package today. I want to take a moment to share what we have heard directly from veterans. Mission Roll Call, a national nonpartisan organization dedicated to serving veterans and their families, recently conducted a survey on my bill. They found 71 percent of veterans support the bill. I think that is a clear choice. Mr. Speaker, as our Nation observes its 250th birthday, H.R.”
“Gold Star Spouses of America, K9s For Warriors, Korean War Veterans Association, Military Chaplains Association, Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Mission Roll Call, National Defense Committee, National Military Family Association (NMFA), USCG Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA), Vietnam Veterans of America.”
“This moment presents a clear test of whether Congress can translate long-standing bipartisan agreement into meaningful action. We support the Take Care of America's Veterans Act so the process can continue and so Congress can deliver lasting results for veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. We urge swift action to advance this legislation and stand ready to work with lawmakers in both chambers to honor our commitments to all who have served. Sincerely, The American Legion, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Wounded [[Page H4607]] Warrior Project, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), American Veterans (AMVETS), Air Force Sergeants Association, American Optometric Association, Avalon Action Alliance, Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS (COA).”
“As Congress continues its consideration of this legislation, we urge Members to preserve and strengthen key protections: no retroactive harm to veterans currently receiving compensation; prospective application only to future claims or future requests for increased ratings; full transparency from VA, the White House, and the Administration regarding any independent regulatory or policy action; and a final package that ensures expanded benefits are delivered responsibly and effectively. We are committed to working with Congress, VA, the Administration, coalition partners, and the broader veteran community to improve the pay-for, identify any credible alternative path forward, and secure the strongest possible outcome.”
“Given that reality, we believe the practical question before Congress is whether this process should continue so these resources can be reinvested in veterans, caregivers, families, and survivors, or whether the opportunity to enact this package is lost while unresolved funding questions remain. We support advancing the Take Care of America's Veterans Act because the bill represents a net expansion of benefits and support for the veteran community and contains protections intended to prevent reductions for current beneficiaries. The goodness and positive impact of this package should not be lost in the debate over its financing.”
“Unfortunately, the current environment is far from ideal, and veterans, families, survivors, and caregivers have already waited years across multiple Congresses and administrations for action on provisions that maintain strong bipartisan support. The Administration must also provide immediate clarity on whether these rating-schedule changes are intended to proceed independently of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act through VA regulation, White House direction, or other administrative action. That clarity is essential because the bill's financing rests on assumptions that remain unresolved. If similar VASRD changes are implemented outside this legislation, the resulting savings could revert to the Treasury rather than be reinvested in veterans, families, survivors, and caregivers.”
“Veterans do not need a bill that makes Members feel good for a day and then dies in the Senate. They need legislation that can pass. Mr. Speaker, veterans groups agree. I include in the Record a letter from 20 different veterans organizations in support of this legislation. Richard Star Act would be funded through the defense authorizing committees and fu11y end the unjust wounded veteran tax on combat-injured warriors. Pay-as-you-go rules would be waived for these earned benefits. There would be complete clarity from the Administration and VA about whether long-anticipated VASRD changes will proceed independently of this bill.”
“This is not about denying these conditions exist. Let's be clear. This is not cutting benefits. No one will lose their benefits who are receiving them. {time} 0920 It is about making sure the VA rating schedule follows modern science and using those savings to fund the expansion of benefits and other VA programs. Mr. Speaker, if we don't pass H.R. 9237 today, VA can make these rating changes as planned but the savings would go back to one place: Big Government. I want those savings to go instead into the pockets and the benefits for millions of veterans and their families. Mr. Speaker, as a United States Marine Corps veteran, you can bet your bottom dollar that I believe that this bill would not harm a single veteran, and I would not bring it forward to this floor if I thought it would.”
“These are not new ideas, and there is nothing unprecedented about this. This bill would not eliminate disability ratings for sleep apnea or tinnitus. It would not automatically reduce any veteran's current disability rating. Future veterans with sleep apnea will still get treatment through VA healthcare, but if a CPAP eliminates your symptoms, VA would compensate you less. Currently, the amount of compensation for sleep apnea is often more than the amount that a veteran receives if they lose a limb. This change is just common sense. It is why VA has worked hard to propose changes like these, which reflect modern medicine. For tinnitus, VA has found it is best understood as a symptom of another condition such as hearing loss or TBI. Under the proposed change, tinnitus would still be rated as part of another underlying condition.”
“The Take Care of America's Veterans Act would expand benefits and push VA to do better. Mr. Speaker, I also want to address how this bill is funded, as I have heard a lot of misinformation about this point. H.R. 9237 would codify VA's own pending regulation on how to evaluate sleep apnea and tinnitus' effect on a veteran's workplace earnings. This regulation was proposed by the Biden-era VA in 2022, created by VA's team of doctors and researchers. It was part of VA's efforts to modernize its disability rating schedule created in the 1940s. President Biden's Under Secretary for Benefits, Josh Jacobs, testified in favor of these changes at his confirmation hearing. Earlier this year, VA's executive director of compensation confirmed plans to finalize these changes this year.”
“These American families have not seen a meaningful increase in decades. Mr. Speaker, this bill also includes the Veterans' ACCESS Act. Veterans should be able to access healthcare in their own communities. Too many veterans still face delays, confusion, and barriers when trying to use VA community care. This bill would also improve mental health care and community-based suicide prevention. A veteran's healthcare should be driven by the veteran's needs, not by government control. H.R. 9237 would improve education benefits and vocational training to help veterans transition into civilian life. It would modernize the VA's claims and appeals process so veterans have a system that works for them. It would streamline the way VA handles construction, leasing, contracting, IT, and finances.”
“The Love Lives On Act is another important provision included in this bill. Currently, surviving spouses lose their benefits if they remarry before age 55, but those benefits were earned by their spouse's sacrifice for this country. The Love Lives On Act would allow surviving spouses to remarry at any age. Another important provision in this bill is the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act. This bill would provide long-awaited increases to catastrophically disabled veterans and surviving spouses. Eric was 25 years old when an IED left him with a fractured spine and a traumatic brain injury. H.R. 9237 would increase benefits for catastrophically disabled veterans like Eric by $10,000 a year. It would also increase benefits for surviving spouses.”
“One is the Major Richard Star Act. For decades, medically retired, combat-injured veterans have had their military retirement offset dollar-for-dollar by their VA disability. While some disabled veterans who served 20 years receive both, there are tens of thousands of combat-injured veterans who currently do not. Many combat- injured veterans would have served longer if their injuries had not taken that opportunity from them. H.R. 9237 would help end that injustice. It would end that offset for combat-injured veterans, allowing them to receive both benefits up to what a 20-year retiree with the same disabilities would receive. Members on both sides of the aisle and veterans service organizations support this and have for years. A press release, a handshake, or a discharge petition does not end the wounded warrior tax. This bill will.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. [[Page H4606]] As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, for me, this bill is personal. When a young man or woman raises their right hand and agrees to serve this country, America makes a promise. That promise does not end when a servicemember is wounded. It is my goal--and the goal of my friend, Senator Jerry Moran--to deliver on that promise. This bill would be one of the most comprehensive veteran packages considered by Congress in a decade. This bill includes more than 60 bipartisan provisions that would improve healthcare, benefits, operations, and accountability across the VA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell you more about some of those important provisions.”
“Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 9237. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Illinois? There was no objection.”
“The bill, as amended, shall be debatable for 1 hour, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, or their respective designees. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) each will control 30 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois. General Leave”
“(c) Elements.--The plan required under subsection (a) shall include an assessment of disability-related barriers to care at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs and through community care networks of non-Department providers for veterans with spinal cord injury or disorder and a description of the actions needed to overcome such barriers, including cost estimates, timelines for corrective action, and requests for legislative action, if any. (d) Veterans Service Organization Defined.--In this section, the term ``veterans service organization'' means any organization recognized by the Secretary under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. The SPEAKER pro tempore.”
“(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a plan on improving disability-related access to care from facilities of the Department and from non- Department facilities and providers through which the Secretary furnishes care and services under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, for veterans with spinal cord injury or disorder. (b) Consultation.--In developing the plan required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with relevant stakeholders, including veterans service organizations who serve veterans with spinal cord injury or disorder.”
“(c) Veterans Service Organization Defined.--In this section, the term ``veterans service organization'' means any organization recognized by the Secretary under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. SEC. 676. PLAN ON INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY OF CARE FOR VETERANS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY OR DISORDER.”
“(a) In General.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with veterans service organizations, veterans, caregivers of veterans, employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other stakeholders as determined by the Secretary, shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report containing recommendations for legislative or administrative action to improve the clinical appeals process of the Department with respect to timeliness, transparency, objectivity, consistency, and fairness. (b) Inapplicability of Requirements Relating to Federal Advisory Committees.--Chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the consultation required by subsection (a).”
“1396 et seq.), and the TRICARE program (as defined in section 1072 of title 10).''; and (2) in subsection (d), by inserting ``or federally funded research and development center'' after ``private entity''. SEC. 675. REPORT ON IMPROVEMENTS TO CLINICAL APPEALS PROCESS.”
“(B) A pilot program to test innovative payment models involving payment bundling for integrated care during an episode of care authorized under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, to improve the coordination, quality, and efficiency of health care delivery under such program. (f) Modification of Independent Assessments of Health Care Delivery Systems and Management Processes.--Section 1704A of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)(2)(I), by adding at the end the following new clause: ``(vi) To identify proven management and payment best practices of the Federal Government used under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.), the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C.”
“(e) Pilot Programs.-- (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence carrying out the pilot programs described in paragraph (2) through the Center for Innovation established by section 326 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and the Office of Management of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) Pilot programs described.--The Secretary shall carry out the following pilot programs: (A) A pilot program to test innovative payment models for the furnishing of preventive health services, as such term is defined in section 1701 of title 38, United States Code.”
“(B) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the conclusion of the review required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a written report containing-- (i) a complete and unredacted list of all findings and recommendations from the review; and (ii) any legislative, administrative, regulatory, policy, or other changes sought by the Secretary as a result of such findings. (4) Veterans community care program defined.--In this subsection, the term ``Veterans Community Care Program'' means the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code.”
“(G) assess such other factors as determined appropriate by the Secretary in consultation with Congress. (3) Briefing and report.-- (A) Briefing.--Periodically throughout the duration of the review required under paragraph (1), but not less frequently than quarterly, the Secretary shall brief the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives on the status and preliminary findings of such review.”
“1396 et seq.), and the TRICARE program (as defined in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code); (B) determine what best practices, if any, identified under subparagraph (A) should be adopted and implemented by the Secretary, including those practices that would require legislative action before adoption and implementation; (C) determine how the Secretary can improve access to care through the Veterans Community Care Program for veterans eligible for such care; (D) identify solutions to ease administrative, legislative, and regulatory burdens and improve efficiency in the Veterans Community Care Program; (E) identify improvements to the Veterans Community Care Program that can enhance the experience of veterans and participating entities and providers furnishing hospital care, medical services, and extended care services under the Veterans Community Care Program; (F) review how the Secretary-- (i) identifies eligibility for and reviews, processes, and approves referrals for care under the Veterans Community Care Program; (ii) authorizes the furnishing of services under the Veterans Community Care Program; and (iii) receives, reviews, processes, and approves requests for payment from participating entities and providers furnishing services under the Veterans Community Care Program.”
“(d) Review of Veterans Community Care Program.-- (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Office of Management of the Department of Veterans Affairs, shall conduct a review of all aspects of the Veterans Community Care Program. (2) Elements.--The review required by paragraph (1) shall-- (A) identify proven management and payment best practices of the Federal Government used under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.), the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C.”
“(B) Chapter 3.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 3 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item: ``326. Center for Innovation.''. (c) Comptroller General Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report-- (1) on the efforts of the Center for Innovation of the Department of Veterans Affairs in fulfilling the objectives and requirements under section 326 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a); and (2) containing such recommendations as the Comptroller General considers appropriate.”
“1701 note) is amended-- (i) in subsection (a)(2)(A)(viii), by striking ``the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment of the Department under section 1703E of title 38, United States Code'' and inserting ``the Center for Innovation under section 326 of title 38, United States Code''; and (ii) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment established under section 1703E of title 38, United States Code'' and inserting ``the Center for Innovation under section 326 of title 38, United States Code''. (3) Clerical amendments.-- (A) Chapter 17.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 1703E.”
“(B) Pilot program on consolidating approval process of department of veterans affairs for covered dental care.-- Section 106(a) of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Public Law 118-210; 38 U.S.C. 1703 note) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment established under section 1703E of title 38, United States Code'' and inserting ``the Center for Innovation established under section 326 of title 38, United States Code''. [[Page H4605]] (C) Strategic plan on value-based health care system for veterans health administration; pilot program.--Section 107 of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Public Law 118-210; 38 U.S.C.”
“(b) Conforming and Clerical Amendments.-- (1) Conforming repeal.--Section 1703E of title 38, United States Code, is repealed. (2) Conforming amendments.-- (A) Pilot program to improve administration of care under veterans community care program.--Section 105(a) of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Public Law 118-210; 38 U.S.C. 1703 note) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``Pursuant to section 1703E of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment'' and inserting ``Pursuant to section 326 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Center for Innovation''.”
“``(h) Cost Neutrality and Funding.-- ``(1) In general.--Implementation or expansion of any model under this section shall be conducted in a manner that is cost-neutral to the Department over the duration of the use of the model, including administrative costs. ``(2) Use of available amounts.--The Secretary shall ensure that expenditures under this section are made from amounts otherwise available to the Department for medical services, community care, or medical support and compliance. ``(i) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the Secretary to reduce the scope or amount of benefits under this title, or to impose additional eligibility requirements, except as may be necessary to carry out an approved model under this section.''.”