Sponsors (2)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Last progress May 21, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on May 21, 2025 by Mazie Hirono
Makes two targeted changes to VA law: it fixes a statutory citation in the law governing direct housing loans for Native American veterans, and it requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to reimburse Native Hawaiian health care systems for care provided to veterans who are eligible for VA services. It also adds Native Hawaiians to the list of people exempt from VA cost‑sharing for care. The bill defines “Native Hawaiian health care system” by reference to the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act and requires reimbursement regardless of how care is delivered, creating a new payment obligation and a cost‑sharing exemption for Native Hawaiian veterans.
Amend 38 U.S.C. §3765(3)(B) by striking the text beginning with "as that term" through the end of that clause and inserting the text "42 Stat. 108)" in its place, thereby changing the statutory language for the referenced provision .
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must reimburse a Native Hawaiian health care system for the costs of care or services provided through that system to veterans who are eligible for such care under laws administered by the Secretary. Reimbursement applies regardless of whether the care is provided directly by the system, through purchased or referred care, or through a contract for travel.
Defines “Native Hawaiian health care system” by reference to the meaning 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 at the beginning of the chapter by inserting a new item for the newly added section after the item for section 1703G.
Amends 38 U.S.C. §1730A(b) by modifying paragraph (1): strikes (unspecified text) and inserts a semicolon (punctuation change).
Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2025
Updated 9 hours ago
Last progress May 23, 2025 (8 months ago)
Who is affected and how:
Veterans: Veterans who are eligible for VA health care and who receive care from Native Hawaiian health care systems will now have that care reimbursed by VA. Native Hawaiian veterans in particular are added to the cost‑sharing exemption list, which reduces or eliminates their out‑of‑pocket costs for VA‑covered services.
Native Hawaiian health care systems: These organizations will become reimbursable providers for VA‑eligible veteran care. They will be able to bill or receive payments from VA for services rendered to eligible veterans, potentially increasing revenue streams and fostering collaboration between VA and community Indigenous health providers.
Department of Veterans Affairs: VA will have a new statutory obligation to make reimbursements to Native Hawaiian health care systems and to update cost‑sharing policies to exempt Native Hawaiians. This will require administrative changes — updating provider agreements, claims processing, billing systems, guidance, and possibly outreach to affected providers and veterans.
Health care providers and local health systems: Native Hawaiian providers and partnering clinics may see increased demand from veterans who can now access care through their systems with VA reimbursement. Non‑Native Hawaiian community providers are not directly altered by the bill, though VA administrative workload could shift.
Budgetary implications: The requirement to reimburse Native Hawaiian health care systems and to exempt Native Hawaiians from cost sharing implies potential increased VA expenditures. The text does not itself appropriate funds; VA would administer payments subject to available appropriations and applicable budget rules. The actual fiscal impact will depend on utilization and VA implementation.
Other effects: The citation change to the housing loan provision is technical and unlikely to change program operations materially, but it clarifies statutory text for the VA direct housing loan program for Native American veterans.