Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act

Hozzl · 2024-12-17T13:05:28Z

Explore the details of House Bill 8371 Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Armed Forces and National Security. Stay informed on legislative developments.

12/17/2024, 1:05 PM

Summary of Bill HR 8371

Bill 118 hr 8371, also known as the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, is a piece of legislation aimed at improving healthcare and benefits for veterans in the United States. The bill was introduced by Senator Elizabeth Dole and focuses on modernizing and enhancing the services provided to veterans.

One key aspect of the bill is the expansion of healthcare services for veterans, including mental health and telehealth services. The bill also aims to improve access to care for veterans in rural areas by increasing funding for telehealth programs and expanding the availability of VA clinics in these regions.

In addition to healthcare improvements, the bill also addresses benefits for veterans, including increasing disability compensation and survivor benefits. The bill also includes provisions to streamline the claims process for veterans seeking benefits, making it easier for them to access the support they need. Overall, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act seeks to modernize and enhance the services provided to veterans in the United States, ensuring that they receive the care and support they deserve for their service to the country.

Congressional Summary of HR 8371

Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act

This bill addresses various programs, benefits, and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including those related to health care, educational assistance, home loans, homelessness, and disability and memorial affairs.

Among other elements, the bill

modifies the administration of the Veterans Community Care Program, including by providing protections for care agreements between veterans and clinicians;
increases the expenditure cap for non-institutional care alternatives to nursing home care;
provides certain support to family caregivers under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;
modifies the administration of certain educational assistance programs and benefits, including by removing the expiration on a surviving spouse’s entitlement under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship;
expands the Native American Direct Loan program by allowing Native American veterans to refinance other existing mortgage loans on the same property if certain conditions are met;
requires the VA to provide a burial and funeral allowance for certain veterans who die prior to October 1, 2026, in a home or other setting at which the veteran was receiving VA hospice care (if such care was directly preceded by VA hospital or nursing home care);
temporarily increases the maximum rate of per diem payments provided by the VA to entities that furnish services and transitional housing to homeless veterans;
authorizes a program to modernize the electronic health record and other relevant health information technology systems of the VA; and
addresses various oversight and reporting matters.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill HR 8371

Bill HR 8371 is currently in the status of Passed in House since November 18, 2024. Bill HR 8371 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on May 14, 2024. Bill HR 8371's most recent activity was Received in the Senate. as of November 19, 2024

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 8371

Total Number of Sponsors

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Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

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Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 8371

Primary Policy Focus

Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact Areas

Accounting and auditingAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAdvisory bodiesAgingArea studies and international educationCardiovascular and respiratory healthCemeteries and funeralsCivil actions and liabilityCommunity life and organizationComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightDental careDepartment of Veterans AffairsDisability assistanceDrug, alcohol, tobacco useEducation programs fundingEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployee hiringEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsExecutive agency funding and structureFamily servicesGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment lending and loan guaranteesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessHealth care qualityHealth facilities and institutionsHealth information and medical recordsHealth personnelHealth programs administration and fundingHealth promotion and preventive careHealth technology, devices, suppliesHigher educationHome and outpatient careHomelessness and emergency shelterHousing and community development fundingHousing finance and home ownershipIndian social and development programsIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationIntergovernmental relationsInternet, web applications, social mediaLaw enforcement administration and fundingLegal fees and court costsLong-term, rehabilitative, and terminal careMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMental healthMotor carriersNursingPerformance measurementScience and engineering educationState and local government operationsStudent aid and college costsTransportation costsUser charges and feesVeterans' education, employment, rehabilitationVeterans' loans, housing, homeless programsVeterans' medical careVeterans' organizations and recognitionVeterans' pensions and compensationWomen's health

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 8371

Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement ActSenator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement ActEHR Program RESET Act of 2024Housing our Military Veterans Effectively Act of 2023To make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

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