S 5027

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 16, 2026

Mr. Heinrich 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 ensure fair reimbursement rates for home and community-based services furnished 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 “Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act of 2026”.

SEC. 2. REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES.

(a) Homemaker and Home Health Aide Program.—Section 1720L(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(3) On and after the date of the enactment of the Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act of 2026, the Secretary—

“(A) in the case of any reimbursement rates for services furnished under the Homemaker and Home Health Aide program that were reduced after December 31, 2025, shall reinstate the rates in effect on such date; and

“(B) may not reduce the reimbursement rates for such services to an amount that is less than the rates in effect on such date, unless the Secretary notifies Congress of such reduction not later than 90 days before such reduction takes effect.

“(4) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act of 2026, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report—

“(A) specifying whether the number of providers furnishing services under the Homemaker and Home Health Aide program is adequate to meet veteran demand for such services;

“(B) identifying any regions where provider participation in furnishing such services is inadequate to meet such demand; and

“(C) identifying how the Secretary plans to ensure adequate provider participation in furnishing such services to ensure the needs of veterans for such care are met.”.

(b) Report on Reimbursement Rates.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report that includes—

(1) the data sources used to establish reimbursement rates for services under subsections (c) and (e) of section 1720L of title 38, United States Code, including any use of data from the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.), the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), or the private market;

(2) the weighting and adjustment factors applied to such data;

(3) the role of any contractors or third-party administrators in determining such rates;

(4) a description of any consultation with providers of home and community-based services in establishing such rates, including how such input was solicited, considered, and incorporated; and

(5) a description of any formulas, models, or analytical methods used to establish such rates, including any variables, assumptions, weighting, and any additional data sources or factors considered by the Secretary. <all>