S. 1952 — Introduced in Senate

II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1952 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 13, 2023Mr. Sanders (for himself, Mr. Booker, and Mr. Welch) 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 expand eligibility for care from the Department of Veterans Affairs to include members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reserve Component Healthcare Access and Expansion Act. 2. Expansion of health care from Department of Veterans Affairs to include members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are not on active orders (a) Expansion of care (1) In general Section 1789 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 1789. Health care for members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces (a) In general The Secretary (subject to subsection (b)) shall furnish hospital care and medical services, including mental health services, to any member of the reserve components of the Armed Forces during any period in which the member is not entitled to benefits under TRICARE Prime (as defined in section 1072(14) of title 10). (b) Limitation The requirement in subsection (a) shall be effective in any fiscal year only to the extent and in the amount provided in advance in appropriations Acts for such purpose. (c) Consultation with Secretary of Defense The Secretary shall carry out this section in consultation with the Secretary of Defense. . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of subchapter VIII of chapter 17 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 1789 and inserting the following new item: 1789. Health care for members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces. . (b) Enrollment in patient enrollment system (1) Priority for enrollment Section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking enrollment of veterans and inserting enrollment of individuals under such system; and (B) in paragraph (7)— (i) by striking Veterans and inserting (A) Veterans; and (ii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (B) Members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces for purposes of furnishing hospital care and medical services under section 1789(a) of this title. . (2) Initial enrollment (A) Phased approach The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement a phased approach under subparagraphs (B) and (C) to enroll all members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces in the patient enrollment system. (B) Uninsured The Secretary shall ensure that all members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are uninsured are enrolled in the patient enrollment system by not later than December 31, 2023. (C) Other members The Secretary shall ensure that all members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces not covered by subparagraph (B) are enrolled in the patient enrollment system by not later than December 31, 2024. (3) Ongoing enrollment After December 31, 2023, the Secretary shall automatically enroll in the patient enrollment system all new members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces upon those members joining the reserve components. (4) Study (A) In general The Secretary shall conduct a study to evaluate options for improving access to health care for members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, including by conducting a review of priority groups for enrollment in the patient enrollment system. (B) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under subparagraph (A). (5) Consultation with Secretary of Defense The Secretary shall carry out this subsection and the amendments made by this subsection in consultation with the Secretary of Defense. (6) Patient enrollment system defined In this subsection, the term patient enrollment system means the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs established and operated under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code.