Bill > S585

This bill establishes a new pre-transition health care registration process to help members of the Armed Forces more smoothly transition to veteran health care services. The legislation requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to automatically register service members in a pre-transition health care registration system approximately 180 days before their anticipated separation from the military. This system will help facilitate and streamline the enrollment process into the VA's patient enrollment system by collecting relevant member information in advance. After separation, the VA must proactively reach out to these individuals within 30 days to assist them in completing enrollment forms and scheduling initial health appointments. The bill also mandates comprehensive outreach efforts using multiple communication channels like email, text message, phone, and mail to explain health care services, eligibility, and enrollment steps. Additionally, the VA must conduct targeted outreach to veterans from diverse backgrounds, including women, minority, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, and LGBTQIA+ veterans. The legislation requires annual reporting on the pre-transition registration process, including demographic information and enrollment statistics, and directs the VA to continuously improve and modernize the registration and enrollment process. Importantly, the bill emphasizes that no service member or veteran is required to use VA services or enroll in the patient enrollment system.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/585/all-info