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To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay the reasonable costs of urgent care provided to certain veterans, to establish cost-sharing amounts for veterans receiving care at an emergency room of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-2785| House 
| Updated: 6/6/2017
Clay Higgins

Clay Higgins

Republican Representative

Louisiana

Cosponsors (5)
Doug LaMalfa (Republican)John Ratcliffe (Republican)Walter B. Jones (Republican)James A. Himes (Democratic)Tom Reed (Republican)

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Veterans Emergency Room Relief Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into contracts under which the VA pays health care providers the reasonable costs of urgent care provided to eligible veterans at non-VA facilities. An "eligible veteran" is one who: (1) is enrolled in the VA health care system, and (2) has received health care through the VA during the two years preceding the date on which the veteran receives urgent care. The VA shall establish a cost-sharing amount that a veteran shall pay to the VA to receive such urgent care. Such amount shall not apply to a veteran who: (1) is admitted to a hospital for treatment or observation after receiving urgent care, or (2) is receiving urgent care for the treatment of a service-connected disability or condition. The VA shall: (1) be considered the primary payer for the urgent care provided, and (2) ensure that all types of urgent care providers have an opportunity to enter into such a contract. The VA also shall establish a cost-sharing amount that veterans shall pay to receive care at a VA emergency room. Such amount shall not apply to a veteran who: (1) is receiving care for a service-connected disability or condition, (2) meets a hardship exception, or (3) is admitted to a hospital for treatment or observation after receiving care at a VA emergency room. The VA may not require a veteran to pay multiple cost-sharing amounts if the veteran seeks urgent care under this bill and care at a VA emergency room for the same condition during a period determined by the VA. The VA shall report every two years on the use by veterans of urgent care facilities and of VA emergency room facilities.
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Timeline
Jun 6, 2017
Introduced in House
Jun 6, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jun 6, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jul 11, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 115-1261
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
  • June 6, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • June 6, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • June 6, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • July 11, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 115-1261
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 115-1261: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay the reasonable costs of urgent care provided to certain veterans, to establish cost-sharing amounts for veterans receiving care at an emergency room of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Department of Veterans AffairsDisability and paralysisEmergency medical services and trauma careHealth care costs and insuranceHealth facilities and institutionsHospital carePublic contracts and procurementVeterans' medical care

To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay the reasonable costs of urgent care provided to certain veterans, to establish cost-sharing amounts for veterans receiving care at an emergency room of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-2785| House 
| Updated: 6/6/2017
Veterans Emergency Room Relief Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into contracts under which the VA pays health care providers the reasonable costs of urgent care provided to eligible veterans at non-VA facilities. An "eligible veteran" is one who: (1) is enrolled in the VA health care system, and (2) has received health care through the VA during the two years preceding the date on which the veteran receives urgent care. The VA shall establish a cost-sharing amount that a veteran shall pay to the VA to receive such urgent care. Such amount shall not apply to a veteran who: (1) is admitted to a hospital for treatment or observation after receiving urgent care, or (2) is receiving urgent care for the treatment of a service-connected disability or condition. The VA shall: (1) be considered the primary payer for the urgent care provided, and (2) ensure that all types of urgent care providers have an opportunity to enter into such a contract. The VA also shall establish a cost-sharing amount that veterans shall pay to receive care at a VA emergency room. Such amount shall not apply to a veteran who: (1) is receiving care for a service-connected disability or condition, (2) meets a hardship exception, or (3) is admitted to a hospital for treatment or observation after receiving care at a VA emergency room. The VA may not require a veteran to pay multiple cost-sharing amounts if the veteran seeks urgent care under this bill and care at a VA emergency room for the same condition during a period determined by the VA. The VA shall report every two years on the use by veterans of urgent care facilities and of VA emergency room facilities.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jun 6, 2017
Introduced in House
Jun 6, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jun 6, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jul 11, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 115-1261
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
  • June 6, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • June 6, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • June 6, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • July 11, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 115-1261
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
Clay Higgins

Clay Higgins

Republican Representative

Louisiana

Cosponsors (5)
Doug LaMalfa (Republican)John Ratcliffe (Republican)Walter B. Jones (Republican)James A. Himes (Democratic)Tom Reed (Republican)

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 115-1261: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay the reasonable costs of urgent care provided to certain veterans, to establish cost-sharing amounts for veterans receiving care at an emergency room of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Department of Veterans AffairsDisability and paralysisEmergency medical services and trauma careHealth care costs and insuranceHealth facilities and institutionsHospital carePublic contracts and procurementVeterans' medical care