This bill mandates that the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs jointly implement a system within one year to allow for the supplementation of health records for deceased veterans. This system will enable designated individuals or immediate family members to add observed health conditions and other relevant information to the records of those who were enrolled in the VA patient system or TRICARE at the time of their death. The Secretaries must also establish a clear process for individuals to designate who can provide these updates. Crucially, any new information will only supplement the existing health records and will not modify their original content. This initiative aims to enhance the completeness of deceased veterans' health histories.
This bill mandates that the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs jointly implement a system within one year to allow for the supplementation of health records for deceased veterans. This system will enable designated individuals or immediate family members to add observed health conditions and other relevant information to the records of those who were enrolled in the VA patient system or TRICARE at the time of their death. The Secretaries must also establish a clear process for individuals to designate who can provide these updates. Crucially, any new information will only supplement the existing health records and will not modify their original content. This initiative aims to enhance the completeness of deceased veterans' health histories.