US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB770

Introduced
1/28/25  

Caption

Accountability for Veterans ActThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report to Congress on certain appeals, resources, and VA health care systems. Specifically, the report must address (1) the reasons why there is a backlog of appeals of claims for VA disability benefits; (2) ways to increase the amount of information, resources, and tools provided by the VA to individuals participating in the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense; and (3) the management problems impacting one-star health care systems of the VA.

Impact

This legislation is expected to influence state laws and federal regulations concerning veterans' affairs by focusing on increasing the resources and support provided to members of the armed forces and their families. By addressing management problems within one-star healthcare systems, the bill seeks to ensure that veterans receive timely and adequate healthcare services. The introduction of such a report is a critical move towards understanding and potentially reforming the VA’s approach to handling claims and appeals, thereby enhancing the support veteran families receive during their transition from military to civilian life.

Summary

House Bill 770, officially titled the Accountability for Veterans Act, aims to enhance the management and accountability of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by mandating a comprehensive report on key issues affecting veterans' services. The bill is set to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to analyze and report on the backlog of appeals concerning disability benefits, which has been a longstanding issue within the agency. This proposed measure is seen as an essential step towards improving efficiency and transparency in how veterans' claims are processed and managed.

Contention

While the bill mainly garners support for its focus on veterans, there may be points of contention surrounding the adequacy of the proposed measures. Critics may argue that without actionable solutions included in the bill, the report could merely serve as a formality rather than a mechanism for change. Additionally, the effectiveness of the Secretary's recommendations, as mandated by the bill, may be questioned, particularly in the context of existing bureaucratic challenges within the VA. Stakeholders may advocate for not only reporting on current issues but also for implementing immediate reforms to address the backlog and improve veterans' services.

Congress_id

119-HR-770

Policy_area

Armed Forces and National Security

Introduced_date

2025-01-28

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB71

Veterans Health Care Freedom Act This bill requires the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program to improve the ability of veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system to access hospital care, medical services, and extended care services through the covered care system by providing such veterans with the ability to choose health care providers. Under the bill, the covered care system includes VA medical facilities, health care providers participating in the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP), and eligible entities or providers that have entered into a Veterans Care Agreement. A veteran participating in the program may elect to receive care at any provider in the covered care system. The pilot program removes certain requirements (e.g., location of the veteran) to access care at VA and non-VA facilities. After four years, the bill permanently phases out the requirements for accessing care under the VCCP and Veterans Care Agreements and requires the VA to provide such care under the same conditions of the pilot program. Additionally, after four years, veterans may receive care at a VA medical facility regardless of whether the facility is in the same Veterans Integrated Service Network as the veteran.

US HB1290

Veterans Mental Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program under which Vet Centers and VA medical facilities provide veterans who are experiencing mental health crises with referrals to approved non-VA mental health care providers.The VA must report on the implementation, outcomes, and effectiveness of the pilot program.

US HB149

Lead by Example Act of 2025This bill provides that, beginning January 3, 2027, the only health care plan the federal government may make available to Members of Congress and congressional staff shall be health care provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).By September 15, 2025, the VA and the Office of Personnel Management shall jointly submit to Congress a plan to carry out this bill, including recommendations for any necessary legislative actions.

US HB555

Veterans Affairs Transfer of Information and Sharing of Disability Examination Procedures With DOD Doctors Act This bill addresses the sharing of medical information and disability examination procedures between the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA). It requires that if a member of the Armed Forces who is required to receive a physical examination upon separation from active duty has or is believed to have a medical condition that may make the member eligible for veterans' disability compensation and benefits, the examination must be performed by a VA-certified health care provider.If the condition is discovered during the physical examination and the examining health care provider is not VA-certified, the examination must be completed by a VA-certified provider. An eligibility determination made as part of such an examination shall be binding on the VA and be used as the basis for assigning the member's disability rating. The VA and DOD shall jointly establish a system to share data and maintain the medical and personnel records of Armed Forces members and veterans.

US HB554

Veteran's Choice Accountability Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate VA programs that furnish hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to ensure that the most intensively used specialized care programs are maintained as centers of excellence. The bill also requires the VA to submit an evaluation of the VA's implementation of the VA Budget and Choice Improvement Act.

US HB472

Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025 Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025

US HB6585

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to temporarily extend the period during which certain individuals may file claims for medical care under the CHAMPVA program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

US HB586

Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study ActThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct an epidemiological study and report on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) in veterans who served in the Vietnam theater of operations during the Vietnam era. The study must identify the rate of incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in such veterans and in U.S. residents.The bill also requires the VA to track and report on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma using the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry. Additionally, the VA must periodically submit follow-up reports to Congress regarding the epidemiological study and information collected from the cancer registry regarding the prevalence of bile duct cancer.

US HB72

TBI and PTSD Treatment Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy through a provider authorized by the Veterans Community Care Program to veterans who have a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.

US SB124

Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025 Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.