Bill · H.R. 961· House(119-HR-961)
Veterans Access to Direct Primary Care Act
- Introduced
- 2/4/2025
- Last activity
- 3/6/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- Sponsored by
- Chip Roy
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Veterans Access to Direct Primary Care Act'', directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to start a five-year pilot program. The program allows eligible veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs patient enrollment system to use veteran health savings accounts. These accounts are intended to help veterans pay for primary care through non-Department direct primary care service arrangements. The funds can cover physician fees, medical services for disease prevention or treatment, and medicines. The Secretary must establish a mechanism to prevent fraud and will determine annual deposit amounts with actuarial consultation.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+6
The bill creates a new avenue for veterans to access primary care services outside of the standard Department of Veterans Affairs system.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+6
The bill expands healthcare options for veterans by allowing them to use health savings accounts for direct primary care.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill provides a direct funding mechanism for primary care through health savings accounts.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill utilizes existing Veterans Health Administration appropriations rather than requesting new funds.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Choice in Primary Care: Eligible veterans can choose to receive primary care services from a non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care provider through a direct primary care service arrangement (Section 2(a)).
-
Coverage for Medical Needs: The health savings accounts can be used to pay for associated costs such as periodic physician fees, medical services to screen, diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease, and prescription or non-prescription medicines (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of Department Medical Care: A veteran who chooses to use a health savings account under this program may not receive medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs that is included in the direct primary care service arrangement during their participation in the pilot program (Section 2(d)).
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+6Good For Low Income Households+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+6
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1
- 4/28/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/6/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/4/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Lauren BoebertRepublican · Colorado
Elijah CraneRepublican · Arizona
Brandon GillRepublican · Texas