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

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 8371

Primary Policy Focus

Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact Areas

- Accounting and auditing

- Administrative law and regulatory procedures

- Administrative remedies

- Advisory bodies

- Aging

- Area studies and international education

- Cardiovascular and respiratory health

- Cemeteries and funerals

- Civil actions and liability

- Community life and organization

- Computers and information technology

- Congressional oversight

- Dental care

- Department of Veterans Affairs

- Disability assistance

- Drug, alcohol, tobacco use

- Education programs funding

- Emergency medical services and trauma care

- Employee hiring

- Employment and training programs

- Employment discrimination and employee rights

- Executive agency funding and structure

- Family services

- Government buildings, facilities, and property

- Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

- Government information and archives

- Government lending and loan guarantees

- Government studies and investigations

- Health care costs and insurance

- Health care coverage and access

- Health care quality

- Health facilities and institutions

- Health information and medical records

- Health personnel

- Health programs administration and funding

- Health promotion and preventive care

- Health technology, devices, supplies

- Higher education

- Home and outpatient care

- Homelessness and emergency shelter

- Housing and community development funding

- Housing finance and home ownership

- Indian social and development programs

- Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information

- Intergovernmental relations

- Internet, web applications, social media

- Law enforcement administration and funding

- Legal fees and court costs

- Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care

- Medical tests and diagnostic methods

- Mental health

- Motor carriers

- Nursing

- Performance measurement

- Science and engineering education

- State and local government operations

- Student aid and college costs

- Transportation costs

- User charges and fees

- Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

- Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

- Veterans' medical care

- Veterans' organizations and recognition

- Veterans' pensions and compensation

- Women's health

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 8371

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

EHR Program RESET Act of 2024

Housing our Military Veterans Effectively Act of 2023

To make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Comments

Gloria Sparks

470

1 year ago

I don't really understand this bill, but it seems like it could have some negative impacts. How will it affect me in the short term?

Brodie Holt

451

1 year ago

I don't care what they say about this bill, it's about time something was done for our veterans. They deserve better healthcare and benefits, and this bill is a step in the right direction. I may not agree with everything in it, but at least it's a start. #veteransdeservebetter