RELIEVE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 748
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-19: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-25T08:06:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The RELIEVE Act (H.R. 748) aims to improve access to emergency healthcare for veterans by easing reimbursement rules under the Veterans Community Care program. This program allows eligible veterans to receive care from non-VA providers (community providers) and get reimbursed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill targets a specific barrier for newly enrolled veterans, ensuring they can seek emergency treatment without delays.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Eligibility Rules: The bill modifies Section 1725(b)(2)(B) of Title 38, United States Code, which governs VA reimbursement for emergency treatment.
- It adds an exception: Veterans do not need to have previously received care from the VA health care system if the emergency treatment occurs within 60 days of their enrollment in that system.
- Effective Date: The changes apply to emergency treatments provided on or after one year from the date the bill is enacted into law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under current law, veterans generally must show they have received prior care from the VA system to qualify for reimbursement of emergency treatment at non-VA facilities.
- The bill eliminates this "prior care" requirement for the initial 60-day period after enrollment, closing a loophole that could delay or deny reimbursements for new enrollees facing urgent medical needs.
- No other broad changes are made; the focus is narrow on emergency care eligibility.
Potential Impacts
- On Veterans: Newly enrolled veterans will have quicker access to reimbursed emergency care from community providers, reducing financial burdens and potential health risks from delayed treatment.
- On Government Agencies: The VA may see an increase in reimbursement claims and administrative workload during the first year of a veteran's enrollment, potentially raising short-term costs but improving overall program efficiency.
- On Citizens and International Relations: Primarily affects U.S. veterans and domestic healthcare; no direct impact on international relations.
- Broader effects could include better integration of new veterans into the VA system, encouraging enrollment and timely care-seeking.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Especially those newly enrolling in VA healthcare, who benefit from simplified emergency reimbursement.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Handles reimbursements and program administration, facing potential cost and processing adjustments.
- Community Healthcare Providers: Non-VA hospitals and clinics that treat veterans in emergencies, as they may receive more reimbursements without eligibility disputes.
- Congressional Committees: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the VA's statutory framework for emergency care under Title 38 by addressing a practical gap, without altering core eligibility criteria. It promotes equity in healthcare access as required by veterans' benefits laws.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; aligns with Congress's authority to regulate veterans' affairs and appropriate funds for their benefits.
- Political: Introduced by bipartisan sponsors (Reps. Bergman and Pappas), it reflects ongoing efforts to enhance VA services amid criticisms of bureaucratic hurdles. Could set a precedent for further tweaks to the Community Care program, potentially influencing future veterans' legislation and budget debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-19: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2025-01-28: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-01-28: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-28: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Removing Extraneous Loopholes Insuring Every Veteran Emergency Act — issued 2025-01-28 — PDF (2 pages)