S. 544 became law, with cosponsors split almost evenly between the parties
A bill to amend the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to modify the termination date for the Veterans Choice Program, and for other purposes.
Written by the Congressional Research Service [2]. 158 words.
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)
(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to eliminate the August 7, 2017, sunset date for the Veterans Choice Program, thus allowing the program to operate until all of the money in the Veterans Choice Fund is expended.
(Sec. 2) The bill makes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the primary payer (currently the VA is the secondary payer) for medical care relating to non-service connected disabilities and recovery of costs from third parties for certain care under the program.
(Sec. 3) The VA may share medical information with a non-VA entity (including private entities and other federal agencies) that provides veterans with authorized hospital care or medical services. Such entity may not redisclose or use such information for a purpose other than that for which the disclosure was made.
- Committees
- Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Policy area
- Armed Forces and National Security: 268 of 6,567 bills became law, 113th–118th (4.1%)
- Sponsor
- 17 of 385 bills enacted since 2013
- Text versions
- 4, from enrolled bill to public law · 704 words
- Subjects
- Disability and paralysisHealth care coverage and accessHealth information and medical recordsHospital careVeterans' medical care
- Latest action
- Apr 19, 2017: Signed by President.
- Records
- Congress.gov · Bill text
Each bill appears once, under its strongest link. 2 in all.
Related, per CRS or House · 2
- 115th H.R. 369 To eliminate the sunset of the Veterans Choice Program, and for other purposes. R · Reported
- 115th S. 86 Veterans Choice Continuation Act R · Introduced