Markup on Pending Legislation

House Veterans Affairs Committee, Health Subcommittee

September 18, 2024 (recording here)

BILLS CONSIDERED IN MARKUP

• H.R. 9496, To amend title 38, United States Code, to include a representative of the National Association of State Veterans Homes on the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Rep. Chavez-DeRemer)

• H.R. 9324, Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2024 (Rep. Womack)

• H.R. 9478, Veterans Supporting Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreational Therapy (SPORT) Act (Rep. Miller-Meeks)

• H.R. 9525, Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act (Rep. Luttrell)

• H.R. 7504, Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act (Rep. Gluesenkamp-Perez)

• H.R. 9301, New Mexico Rural Veteran Health Care Access Act (Rep. Vasquez)

• H.R. 9485, Enhancing Faith-Based Support for Veterans Act of 2024 (Rep. Self)

• H.R. 9438, No Wrong Door for Veterans Act (Rep. Miller-Meeks)

• H.R. 9146, Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act (Rep. Franklin)

• H.R. 8562, Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act (Rep. Tokuda)

OPENING STATEMENT FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE

• Chairwoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks commented that the bills on the agenda aimed to improve healthcare for veterans. While some bills lacked cost estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), she said that this would be addressed at a later time. No offsets were included, but they will be added before the bills move forward to comply with House rules. Chairwoman Miller-Meeks stated that most bills had bipartisan support, particularly those related to mental health and prosthetics. She noted some concerns from the minority on certain bills, especially the Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act (H.R. 9146), which deals with continuity of care for veterans.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS

• The following bills were considered en bloc: H.R. 9496, H.R. 9324, H.R. 9478, H.R. 9525, H.R. 7504, and H.R. 9301. The bills were approved and favorably forwarded to the full Committee.

• The Subcommittee then examined the Enhancing Faith-Based Support for Veterans Act of 2024 (H.R. 9485). Chairwoman Miller-Meeks voiced her support for the bill, while acting Ranking Member Greg Landsman expressed concerns about privacy risks with veterans’ personally identifiable information (PII) being shared with faith-based organizations. The bill was approved and favorably forwarded to the full Committee.

• Chairwoman Miller-Meeks then presented the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act (H.R. 9438), as well as an amendment to increase grant amounts for recipients based on the number of veterans served. Acting Ranking Member Landsman supported the program but was hesitant to support the amendment. He said it may undermine oversight by reducing the amount of data collected and reported. The amendment and bill were approved and favorably forwarded to the full Committee.

• The Subcommittee moved on to the Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act (H.R. 9146). Acting Ranking Member Landsman opposed the bill, arguing that it could lead to veterans receiving care from community providers indefinitely, even when VA care becomes more accessible or appropriate. The bill was approved and favorably forwarded to the full Committee.

• The final bill considered was the Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act (H.R. 8562). Acting Ranking Member Landsman supported the bill and its efforts to ensure Native Hawaiian veterans received the same benefits as other Native populations, specifically regarding co-pays. The bill was approved and favorably forwarded to the full Committee.

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