Bill > S3436

This bill expands healthcare and travel benefits for veterans in the Freely Associated States (a group of independent Pacific Island nations with special relationships with the United States), requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide telehealth services, mail order pharmacy benefits, and travel payment assistance within one year of the bill's enactment. Specifically, the bill mandates that the VA Secretary furnish telehealth and mail order pharmacy benefits to veterans in these states, and requires mandatory travel payments for these veterans, whereas previous regulations only allowed discretionary payments. The bill also requires the VA to submit quarterly reports to congressional Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations Committees about the implementation and cost of these new services. Additionally, the legislation extends certain pension payment limits from January 31, 2033, to March 31, 2033. The bill aims to improve healthcare access and support for veterans from these Pacific Island nations, recognizing their contributions and ensuring they receive comparable benefits to other U.S. veterans.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3436/all-info