H.R. 5131 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5131 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 17, 2014 Ms. Gabbard (for herself and Mr. Kinzinger of Illinois) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reimburse non-Department of Veterans Affairs medical providers for the provision of certain hospital care and medical services to veterans, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Access to Care and Treatment Now for Veterans Act or the ACT Now for Veterans Act. 2. Reimbursement of non-Department of Veterans Affairs medical providers for the provision of certain hospital care and medical services to veterans (a) Reimbursement required The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall reimburse any non-Department medical provider, including such a provider who has not been pre-approved by the Secretary, who furnishes covered hospital care or medical services to an eligible veteran. (b) Definitions For purposes of this section: (1) The term eligible veteran means a veteran who— (A) is enrolled in the patient enrollment system under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and provides a Department of Veterans Affairs identification card or proof of such enrollment; (B) is eligible to receive hospital care or medical services furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and (C) attempts or has attempted to schedule an appointment at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility to receive such care or services but has been unable to schedule such appointment within 30 days of the date preferred by the veteran. (2) The term covered hospital care or medical services means, with respect to an eligible veteran, hospital care or medical services (as such terms are defined in section 1701 of title 38, United States Code) for which the veteran is eligible under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code. (c) Termination The authority under this section shall terminate on— (1) in the case that, before the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary submits to Congress certification that the Veterans Health Administration is meeting wait-time goals established by the Secretary, the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act; or (2) in the case that the Secretary does not submit such certification before such date, the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Implementation The Secretary shall begin implementing this section on the date of the enactment of this Act.