Veterans Care and Cost Coordination Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9524
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-29: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-09T15:25:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Its goal is to improve coordination of health care costs, delivery, and management for veterans enrolled in both the Department of Veterans Affairs patient enrollment system and the Medicare program or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Key Provisions
- Requires the VA Secretary to pursue a data-sharing agreement within one year of enactment, allowing reciprocal access between the Veterans Health Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- The agreement covers transmission of veteran enrollment data, care received, billing codes, and diagnostic information from VA to HHS, and return of lists identifying dual-enrolled veterans plus related data from HHS to VA.
- Directs the VA to apply the shared information to the Veterans Community Care Program to reduce duplicative care, prevent erroneous payments, and notify veterans of related Medicare services.
- Amends Section 1853(c)(1)(D)(iii) of the Social Security Act to require use of VA-transmitted data when developing benchmark payment estimates for Medicare Advantage plans.
- Mandates a report to the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees one year after the memorandum takes effect, followed by biennial reports assessing its effectiveness in avoiding improper billings.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds a new requirement to the Social Security Act that incorporates VA data into Medicare Advantage benchmark payment calculations. It establishes a formal interagency data-exchange process not previously required by statute for these two programs.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Increases data-sharing responsibilities between the VA and HHS/CMS, potentially improving care coordination and payment accuracy.
- On citizens: May reduce duplicate services and billing errors for veterans enrolled in both systems.
- No direct effects on international relations are specified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans concurrently enrolled in VA health care and Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services (including CMS).
- Medicare Advantage plans and their administrators.
- Congressional committees overseeing veterans’ affairs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure focuses on administrative data sharing and payment adjustments between federal agencies. It introduces no new individual rights or regulatory mandates on private parties beyond the existing Medicare framework. The reporting requirements create ongoing congressional oversight of the memorandum’s implementation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-29: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-29: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-29: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-29: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Veterans Care and Cost Coordination Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-29 — PDF (6 pages)