HR 5981

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 7, 2025

Mr. Smucker (for himself, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Mr. Ciscomani, and Mr. Newhouse) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to waive the requirement of certain veterans to make copayments for hospital care and medical services in the case of an error by the Department of Veterans Affairs, 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. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “VA Billing Accountability Act”.

SEC. 2. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO WAIVE REQUIREMENT OF CERTAIN VETERANS TO MAKE COPAYMENTS FOR CARE AND SERVICES IN THE CASE OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ERROR.

(a) Hospital Care, Nursing Home Care, and Medical Services.— Section 1710(f)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

“(G) During the two-year period following the date of the enactment of the VA Billing Accountability Act, the Secretary may waive the requirement of a veteran to make a payment under this subsection or subsection (g) if—

“(i) an error committed by the Department or an employee of the Department was the cause of delaying notification sent to the veteran of the requirement to make the payment; and

“(ii) the veteran received such notification later than 180 days after the date on which the veteran received the care or services for which the payment was required.”.

(b) Medications.—Section 1722A of such title is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):

“(c) During the two-year period following the date of the enactment of the VA Billing Accountability Act, the Secretary may waive the requirement of a veteran to make a payment under this section if—

“(1) an error committed by the Department or an employee of the Department was the cause of delaying notification sent to the veteran of the requirement to make the payment; and

“(2) the veteran received such notification later than 180 days after the date on which the veteran received the medication for which the payment was required.”.

(c) Billing Procedures.—

(1) In general.—Subchapter I of chapter 17 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new section: “Sec. 1709D. Procedures for copayments

“(a) Care at Department Facility.—(1) In requiring a veteran to make a payment for care or services provided at a medical facility of the Department pursuant to this chapter, including sections 1710 and 1722A, the Secretary shall provide to such veteran a notification of such required payment by not later than 180 days after the date on which the veteran receives the care or services for which payment is required.

“(2) If the Secretary does not provide to a veteran a notification of the required payment by the date required under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not collect such payment, including through a third-party entity, unless the Secretary provides the veteran the following:

“(A) Information regarding how to apply for a waiver described in section 1710(f)(3)(G) or section 1722A(c) of this title, as appropriate.

“(B) Information regarding how to establish a payment plan with the Secretary.

“(C) Opportunity to make such a waiver or establish such a payment plan.

“(b) Care at Non-Department Facility.—(1) In requiring a veteran to make a payment for care or services provided at a non-Department facility pursuant to this chapter or other provision of law, the Secretary shall provide to such veteran a notification of such required payment by not later than 18 months after the date on which the veteran receives the care or services for which payment is required.

“(2) If the Secretary does not provide to a veteran a notification of the required payment by the date required under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not collect such payment, including through a third-party entity, unless the Secretary provides the veteran the following:

“(A) Information regarding how to apply for a waiver described in paragraph (3).

“(B) Information regarding how to establish a payment plan with the Secretary.

“(C) Opportunity to make such a waiver or establish such a payment plan.

“(3) The Secretary may waive the requirement of a veteran to make a payment for care or services provided at a non-Department facility pursuant to this chapter or other provision of law if—

“(A) an error committed by the Department, an employee of the Department, or a non-Department facility was the cause of delaying the notification sent to the veteran of the requirement to make the payment; and

“(B) the veteran received such notification after the period described in paragraph (1).

“(c) Waivers.—The Secretary shall review cases under which the Secretary issues waivers under this section to determine how to reduce the number of notifications issued after the periods established in this section.

“(d) Termination.—This section shall cease to be effective on the day that is two years after the date of the enactment of the VA Billing Accountability Act.”.

(2) Clerical amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1709C the following new item:

“1709D. Procedures for copayments.”.

(d) Improvement of Procedures.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—

(1) review the copayment billing internal controls and notification procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and

(2) improve such controls and procedures, including pursuant to the amendments made by this Act. <all>