Bill · H.R. 5261· House(119-HR-5261)
Veterans Emergency Care Reimbursement Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 9/10/2025
- Last activity
- 9/22/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- Sponsored by
- Debbie Dingell
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Veterans Emergency Care Reimbursement Act of 2025," aims to amend title 38 of the United States Code. It specifically modifies the limitations on reimbursement for emergency treatment when a veteran owes amounts to a third party or has responsibilities under a health-plan contract. The legislation changes how certain payments are defined and categorized within the reimbursement process. These changes apply to claims for emergency treatment provided on or after February 1, 2012. This includes claims from members of the certified class in the case of Wolfe v. McDonough.
Yes
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+6
The bill facilitates easier reimbursement for emergency medical expenses including deductibles and denied claims for veterans.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+6
The bill clarifies and broadens the scope of reimbursement claims for emergency treatment costs, providing relief to veterans and specific legal classes.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+5
The bill expands the definition of reimbursement claims to include deductibles and coinsurance for emergency treatment at non-VA facilities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Clarification of Copayments: The bill adds a specific definition for "copayment" as a fixed amount paid for a covered health service, which clarifies that it does not include deductibles or coinsurance (Section 2(a)(3)).
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Expanded Reimbursement Claims: The definition of a "reimbursement claim" is broadened to include any claim by a veteran for a copayment, deductible, coinsurance, or other cost shares for emergency treatment received in a non-Department of Veterans Affairs facility (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Inclusion of Denied Claims: The updated definition for a reimbursement claim includes any claim for the reasonable value of emergency treatment that was rejected or denied by the Department of Veterans Affairs, regardless of whether that denial was final (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Relief for Specific Legal Classes: The amendments apply to claims submitted by members of the certified class seeking relief in Wolfe v. McDonough (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Modification of Payment Thresholds: The bill strikes "or similar payment" and replaces it with "of less than $100" regarding the Secretary's role in reimbursement (Section 2(a)(1) and (2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+6
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+6
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+5
- 9/22/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 9/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in House