June 25, 2026
Mrs. Miller-Meeks introduced the following bill; which was 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
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to coordinate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services in administering the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Coordination between Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Health and Human Services with respect to administration of Veterans Community Care Program
(a) In general
Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, for purposes of coordinating medical benefits and hospital care and medical services furnished under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, seek to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to reciprocal access between the Veterans Health Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to data and information for veterans who are concurrently enrolled in the patient enrollment system under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, and—
(1)
the Medicare program; or
(2)
a Medicare Advantage plan.
(b) Veterans Community Care Program administration
(1) In general
In administering the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care of the Veterans Health Administration, shall use the information transmitted to the Secretary by the Secretary of Health and Human Services pursuant to the memorandum of understanding required under subsection (a) to—
(A)
ensure, with respect to veterans who are concurrently enrolled in the patient enrollment system under section 1705(a) of such title and the Medicare program, that the Department of Veterans Affairs does not—
(i)
furnish duplicative health care to such veterans; or
(ii)
make erroneous or duplicative payments for health care furnished to such veterans; and
(B)
identify specialized MA plans for special needs individuals that the Secretary determines offer benefits important for veteran health care, including at least three of the benefit categories described in paragraph (2).
(2) Benefit categories described
The benefit categories described in this paragraph are the following:
(A)
Adaptive sports equipment.
(B)
Hearing aids and related audiology services.
(C)
Integrated traumatic brain injury rehabilitation.
(D)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
(E)
Massage therapy.
(F)
Residential rehabilitation.
(G)
Complementary and integrative health services.
(H)
Other benefits or services the Secretary determines are effective in improving health outcomes for veterans.
(c) Coordination Offices
(1) Veterans Health Administration
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care of the Veterans Health Administration, may coordinate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an office (to be known as the Veterans Affairs-Medicare Dual Eligibility Coordination Office
) within the Office of Integrated Veteran Care.
(2) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, may coordinate with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to establish a office (to be known as the Medicare-Veterans Affairs Dual Eligibility Coordination Office
) within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1)
The term Medicare Advantage plan
means a Medicare Advantage plan under the program established under part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–21 et seq.).
(2)
The term Medicare program
means the Medicare program under such title.
(3)
The terms specialized MA plan for special needs individuals
and special needs individual
have the meaning given such terms in section 1859(b)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–28(b)(6)).