Gerald’s Law Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7199
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-22: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-30T08:06:51Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Gerald's Law Act (H.R. 7199) aims to expand eligibility for burial allowances under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Specifically, it provides financial support for burial costs to families of certain veterans who die at home while receiving VA-provided hospice care, ensuring that end-of-life care choices do not disqualify them from this benefit.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Existing Law: Modifies Section 2303(a)(2)(A) of Title 38, United States Code (which governs VA burial benefits), by adding a new clause.
- Eligibility Criteria: Veterans qualify for the burial allowance if they die in a home or similar setting while receiving hospice care under VA authority (Section 1717(a)). This eligibility applies only if the hospice care directly follows VA-provided hospital care or nursing home care (as defined in existing subclauses for inpatient treatment).
- Effective Date: The changes take effect retroactively, as if they were part of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Prior to this amendment, VA burial allowances under Section 2303(a)(2)(A) were limited to deaths occurring in VA facilities, state veterans' homes, or during travel to/from such care. The new provision extends coverage to home-based hospice deaths, broadening access without altering the core benefit amounts or other requirements.
- This is a targeted expansion, not a complete overhaul, focusing on veterans in palliative (end-of-life) care to align benefits with modern hospice practices.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA may see a modest increase in burial allowance claims and payouts, potentially requiring minor adjustments to budgeting and administration within its benefits programs. No significant new infrastructure or oversight is needed.
- On Citizens: Families of eligible veterans gain financial relief for burial expenses (up to $2,000 for non-service-connected deaths, per current VA rates), reducing out-of-pocket costs during grief. This supports veterans choosing home-based end-of-life care, promoting dignity and flexibility.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill is domestic and focused on U.S. veterans' benefits.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans and Their Families: Primary beneficiaries, particularly those using VA hospice services at home.
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for implementing and funding the expanded benefits.
- Congressional Sponsors: Bipartisan group including Representatives Bergman, Budzinski, Golden, Malliotakis, Self, Lee, Bacon, Neguse, DesJarlais, Mast, Baird, and Pettersen, indicating broad support for veterans' issues.
- Hospice Care Providers: Indirectly affected through alignment of VA policies with home-based care delivery.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the VA's statutory framework for burial benefits by closing a gap in coverage for hospice patients, without raising due process or equal protection concerns. The retroactive effective date could allow back payments for qualifying deaths since 2020, potentially leading to administrative claims processing.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts with constitutional principles, as it expands federal benefits under Congress's authority to provide for veterans (U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8).
- Political: Reflects ongoing congressional commitment to veterans' health and end-of-life support, with bipartisan backing signaling low controversy. It may set a precedent for further expansions in palliative care benefits, though fiscal conservatives could scrutinize added costs (estimated low, given the specific eligibility limits).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (13)
Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4], Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-22: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-01-22: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-22: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Gerald’s Law Act — issued 2026-01-22 — PDF (2 pages)