Vets CLEAR Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8043
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-15: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-17T08:07:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8043 (Vets CLEAR Act)
Purpose
This legislation amends title 38 of the United States Code to enhance the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) ability to recover and collect revenue for the Medical Care Collections Fund. The goal is to increase efficiency in handling funds from medical services, with temporary flexibility for certain deposits and new oversight reporting.
Key Provisions
- Expanded collection authorities: The bill allows the VA to use specific debt recovery laws from title 31 (including sections on debt collection and false claims) when recovering funds tied to VA-provided medical care, services, or medications.
- Additional recovery methods: It permits collections through administrative, legal, or judicial processes, including investigations and audits, for the same medical-related purposes.
- Flexible fund deposits: The VA Secretary may, at their discretion, deposit reimbursements from two specific authorities (related to certain care programs and interagency agreements) directly into the Medical Care Collections Fund instead of the standard "Medical Services" account. This authority ends on September 30, 2028.
- Oversight reporting: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must submit reports to Congress every 180 days on the amounts deposited into the fund, broken down by source, and details on how the funds were spent (such as on medical care, staffing, or other uses).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill adds new paragraphs to section 1729A of title 38, broadening the legal tools available for revenue recovery beyond prior limitations.
- It introduces a new subsection allowing redirection of certain funds into the collections account, overriding other laws for this purpose during the temporary period.
- It redesignates existing subsections and adds ongoing GAO reporting requirements, which were not previously mandated in this section.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The VA gains operational flexibility to manage collections more efficiently, potentially increasing available resources for medical services without immediate congressional approval for each deposit. GAO will face increased workload for periodic reporting.
- On citizens: Veterans and other beneficiaries may experience improved access to VA care if collections rise, though the changes could lead to more active pursuit of outstanding payments related to medical services.
- On international relations: No direct impacts are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Veterans Affairs (primary agency implementing the changes).
- Veterans and other individuals receiving VA medical care.
- Government Accountability Office (responsible for new reporting).
- Congressional committees on Veterans' Affairs (recipients of GAO reports).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The legislation creates a time-limited exception (until 2028) to standard fund deposit rules, which could raise questions about long-term fiscal oversight but does not alter core constitutional powers of Congress over appropriations.
- It emphasizes administrative efficiency in collections without introducing new penalties or mandates on individuals.
- The bill maintains a focus on domestic VA operations and does not address broader political or international matters.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-15: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2026-04-15: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-03-25: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
- 2026-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-03-24: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Vets Collections, Liquidity, and Efficiency Accountability for Reinvestment Act — issued 2026-03-24 — PDF (4 pages)