Introduced in Senate — S. 1853

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1853

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 21, 2025

Ms. Hirono (for herself and Mr. Schatz) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of direct housing loans and medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs for Native Hawaiians.

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2025.

Sec. 2. Modification to program for direct housing loans made to Native American veterans by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Section 3765(3)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking as that term and all that follows through 42 Stat. 108) and inserting as defined in section 801 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4221).

Sec. 3. Improvement of provision of medical care from Department of Veterans Affairs for Native Hawaiians

(a) Reimbursement of costs of certain care provided through Native Hawaiian health care system

(1) In general

Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1703G the following new section:

1703H. Reimbursement of costs of certain care provided through Native Hawaiian health care system
(a) In general
The Secretary shall reimburse a Native Hawaiian health care system for the costs of care or services provided through such system to veterans eligible for such care or services under the laws administered by the Secretary, regardless of whether such care or services are provided directly through such system, through purchased or referred care, or through a contract for travel.
(b) Native Hawaiian health care system defined
The term Native Hawaiian health care system has the meaning given that term in section 12 of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act (42 U.S.C. 11711).

(2) Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1703G the following new item:

1703H. Reimbursement of costs of certain care provided through Native Hawaiian health care system.

(b) Exemption from cost sharing

Section 1730A(b) of such title is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon;

(2)

in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(3)
is a Native Hawaiian (as defined in section 12 of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act (42 U.S.C. 11711)).