January 15, 2025
Mr. Van Drew introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
To amend title 38, United States Code, to eliminate the requirement of a service-connected disability to furnish veterans with medical care outside of a State, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Foreign Medical Program Modernization Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Expansion of Foreign Medical Program of Department of Veterans Affairs
(a) Elimination of service-Connected disability requirement
Section 1724 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
by striking subsection (a);
(2)
by redesignating subsections (b) through (e) as subsections (a) through (d), respectively;
(3)
in subsection (a), as so redesignated—
(A)
in paragraph (1), by striking if the Secretary determines that such care and services are needed for the treatment of a service-connected disability of the veteran or as part of a rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of this title
; and
(B)
in paragraph (2), by striking a service-connected disability of
; and
(4)
in subsection (d), as so redesignated, by striking who has a service-connected disability
.
(b) Electronic fund transfer reimbursement
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall update the payment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow for reimbursements through electronic fund transfer for hospital care or medical services furnished pursuant to section 1724 of title 38, United States Code.
(c) Assessment of contract for provision of care
The Secretary shall assess the feasibility and implications of entering into a contract with an appropriate non-Department entity to build a network of non-Department entities to provide hospital care and medical services pursuant to section 1724 of title 38, United States Code, including implications for the administrative burden on veterans eligible to receive such care and services.