Summary

Treats State veterans homes that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) inspects and certifies as meeting Medicare and Medicaid nursing-facility participation rules when VA standards are approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and reviewed with CMS. The law requires VA to submit its survey standards for joint review at least every two years, keeps HHS authority to investigate, sanction, or revoke deemed status, and requires public reporting of survey and quality data on Nursing Home Care Compare. HHS must issue guidance within 180 days to align certification and reporting; the changes take effect 90 days after enactment.

Key Points

• VA-certified State veterans homes can be deemed to meet Medicare nursing facility Conditions of Participation if VA standards are approved and reviewed with CMS.
• A conforming deeming rule makes the same treatment available under Medicaid for State homes.
• VA must submit survey standards and inspection procedures at least biennially for joint review with CMS.
• HHS retains authority to investigate complaints, perform targeted surveys, impose remedies, and revoke deemed status.
• Survey results, deficiency statements, and quality metrics from VA-certified State homes must be publicly reported on Nursing Home Care Compare.
• HHS must issue guidance within 180 days to align certification and data reporting; statutory changes take effect 90 days after enactment.
• The law requires VA protocols to include CMS survey protocols and enforcement expectations and to meet the same care, safety, and transparency standards.
• No new appropriations or explicit funding are included in the text; the changes are regulatory and reporting-focused.

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