Copay Fairness for Veterans Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4217
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-09T20:59:51Z
AI-Generated Summary
Copay Fairness for Veterans Act of 2026 (S. 4217)
Purpose
This legislation aims to remove copayments required by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for preventive health services and related medications, making these services more accessible to veterans and their eligible dependents without out-of-pocket costs.
Key Provisions
- Elimination of Copayments: Amends multiple sections of title 38, United States Code, to exempt veterans from copays for preventive medications (including over-the-counter items), hospital and nursing home care involving preventive services, walk-in care, and care for survivors and dependents.
- Expanded Definition of Preventive Health Services: Updates the definition in section 1701 to include:
- Recommended immunizations based on schedules from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices or professional organizations.
- Services rated "A" or "B" by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force or recommended by relevant professional bodies.
- Specific screenings (e.g., for breast cancer, cervical cancer, HIV, diabetes, intimate partner violence), counseling, breastfeeding support, contraception (including drugs, devices, and related services), obesity prevention, and well-woman visits.
- Rule of Construction: Clarifies that the changes do not reduce any existing copay exemptions and allow coverage of additional evidence-based services aligned with medical standards, such as those from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
- Effective Date: Provisions take effect 180 days after enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Modifies section 1722A to add preventive medications to the list of items exempt from copays.
- Updates section 1710 to waive copays for preventive services during hospital or nursing home care and adds preventive services to exempt categories.
- Amends section 1725A and section 1781 to extend copay exemptions to walk-in care and survivor/dependent care.
- Broadens the scope of preventive services beyond current limits, incorporating more screenings, contraception options, and professional recommendations.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA may face increased costs for providing these services without copay revenue, potentially requiring adjustments in budgeting or resource allocation for preventive care programs.
- On Citizens: Veterans and eligible family members could experience reduced financial barriers, leading to higher utilization of preventive services and potentially better long-term health outcomes.
- On International Relations: No direct effects identified, as the bill focuses solely on domestic VA benefits.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans receiving VA care.
- Eligible survivors and dependents covered under VA programs.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs as the administering agency.
- Healthcare providers within the VA system.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Represents a statutory expansion of VA benefits under existing authority in title 38, with no apparent constitutional conflicts.
- Introduced on a bipartisan basis, emphasizing fairness in veteran healthcare costs.
- Includes protections to maintain current exemptions while expanding access, potentially reducing disputes over coverage.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-03-26: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Copay Fairness for Veterans Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (7 pages)