Sponsors (2)
Makes two targeted changes to federal veterans law. First, it corrects a small textual citation in the statute governing direct housing loans for Native American veterans. Second, it requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to reimburse "Native Hawaiian health care systems" for care they provide to veterans who are eligible for VA benefits, and it exempts such care for Native Hawaiians from VA cost‑sharing rules.
Amend 38 U.S.C. §3765(3)(B) by striking “as that term” and all that follows through and inserting “42 Stat. 108)”.
Adds 38 U.S.C. 1703H requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reimburse a Native Hawaiian health care system for the costs of care or services provided through such system to veterans who are eligible for such care under laws administered by the Secretary, regardless of whether services are provided directly, through purchased or referred care, or through a contract for travel.
Defines the term “Native Hawaiian health care system” by adopting the meaning given in section 12 of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act (42 U.S.C. 11711).
Makes a clerical amendment to the table of sections in chapter 17, subchapter I of title 38 by inserting a new item after the item relating to section 1703G to reflect the newly added section (1703H).
Amends 38 U.S.C. 1730A(b) by modifying punctuation in paragraphs (1) and (2) and adding a new paragraph (3) to state that a person who is a Native Hawaiian (as defined in 42 U.S.C. 11711) is included in the list of individuals exempt from cost sharing.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Last progress May 23, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on May 23, 2025 by Jill Tokuda
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Amends the cost-sharing exemption provision to add Native Hawaiians (as defined in 42 U.S.C. 11711) to the list of covered individuals.
Primary effects: Veterans who are eligible for VA health benefits — especially Native Hawaiian veterans — will be able to receive care from Native Hawaiian health care systems with that care reimbursable by VA and exempt from VA cost sharing, which can lower out‑of‑pocket costs and improve access where VA facilities are limited. Native Hawaiian health care systems and their clinicians will gain a new payer relationship with VA; they may see increased patient volume and revenue but will also face administrative work to enroll, bill, and document services to VA. The Department of Veterans Affairs must update policies, claims procedures, and possibly perform regulatory or operational changes to implement reimbursement; this could require budgeting or reallocation of VA funds, though the bill does not specify payment rates or new appropriations. The textual citation change for Native American direct housing loans is technical and should have no practical programmatic effect.
Updated 8 hours ago
Last progress May 21, 2025 (8 months ago)