July 23, 2025
Mr. Ricketts (for himself and Mr. King) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
To require implementation by the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs of certain recommendations relating to the provision of health care through community care providers, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Coordinating and Aligning Records to Improve and Normalize Governance for Our Veterans Health Act of 2025
or the CARING for Our Veterans Health Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Implementation by Department of Veterans Affairs of certain recommendations with respect to care in the community
(a) In general
The Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the Office of Integrated Veteran Care, or successor office—
(1)
develops guidance for the efforts of medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs in obtaining final medical documentation after a veteran receives services from a community care provider pursuant to a referral from that medical center;
(2)
establishes goals and related performance measures for medical centers of the Department in obtaining initial and final medical documentation from community care providers;
(3)
establishes and monitors goals and related performance measures for the completion by such providers of core trainings and ensures that such providers complete the required training course; and
(4)
takes steps to ensure that the Office of Integrated Veteran Care, or successor office, and any contractor for that Office communicate clear and accurate information to such providers regarding the core trainings recommended or required by that Office, including whether such training is recommended or required.
(b) Report
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 120 days thereafter until the requirements under subsection (a) are fully implemented, the Under Secretary for Health shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on steps taken by the Under Secretary to implement those requirements.