S. 4951 — Introduced in Senate

II 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4951 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 27, 2022Mr. Ossoff (for himself and Mr. Cramer) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit collection of copayments for the first three outpatient mental health care visits of veterans each calendar year, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reduce and Eliminate Mental Health Outpatient Veteran Copays Act or the REMOVE Copays Act. 2. Prohibition on collection of copayments for first three mental health care outpatient visits of veterans (a) Prohibition on collection (1) In general Subchapter III of chapter 17, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1722B the following new section: 1722C. Copayments: prohibition on collection of copayments for first three mental health care outpatient visits of veterans (a) Prohibition Except as provided in subsection (b), notwithstanding section 1710(g) of this title or any other provision of law, the Secretary may not impose or collect a copayment for the first three mental health care outpatient visits of a veteran in a calendar year for which the veteran would otherwise be required to pay a copayment under the laws administered by the Secretary. (b) Copayment for medications The prohibition under subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to the imposition or collection of copayments for medications pursuant to section 1722A of this title. (c) Mental health care outpatient visit defined In this section, the term mental health care outpatient visit means an outpatient visit with a qualified mental health professional for the primary purpose of seeking mental health care or treatment for substance abuse disorder. . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such subchapter is amended by inserting after the item related to section 1722B the following new item: 1722C. Copayments: prohibition on collection of copayments for first three mental health care outpatient visits of veterans. . (b) Applicability The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to mental health care outpatient visits occurring on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.