Bill · S. 5027· Senate(119-S-5027)
Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/16/2026
- Last activity
- 7/16/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Martin Heinrich
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act of 2026. It focuses on making sure there are fair reimbursement rates for home and community-based services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under section 2, the bill requires the Secretary to reinstate any reimbursement rates for the Homemaker and Home Health Aide program that were reduced after December 31, 2025. It also stops the Secretary from lowering these rates below the rates in effect on that date unless Congress is notified 90 days before the reduction happens. Additionally, the legislation requires regular reports to be sent to Congress regarding provider participation adequacy and the data sources used to set these rates.
Yes· 3 of 12
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+8
The act specifically ensures fair reimbursement rates for veterans' home-based care and monitors adequate provider access.
Does this help veterans get medical care?+8
The legislation ensures fair reimbursement rates for veterans' home and community-based services and mandates reporting on provider adequacy.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+8
The bill protects home-based care benefits for veterans by stabilizing reimbursement rates and monitoring provider availability.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(a) requires the Secretary to reinstate reimbursement rates for the Homemaker and Home Health Aide program that were reduced after December 31, 2025, and stops the Secretary from reducing rates below that date unless Congress is notified 90 days in advance. This is positive because it protects payment rates from dropping without giving elected officials a long heads-up to hold the Department accountable.
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Section 2(a) requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress annually and within 180 days specifying whether provider numbers are adequate, identifying regions where participation is lacking, and explaining plans to ensure the needs of veterans are met. This is positive because it forces officials to check on whether veterans are actually getting the care they need in their local communities.
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Section 2(b) requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a report to Congress within 90 days detailing the data sources, weighting factors, contractor roles, provider consultations, and formulas used to establish reimbursement rates. This is positive because it brings transparency to how decisions affecting veteran care are made behind closed doors.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2(a) allows the Secretary to reduce reimbursement rates for the Homemaker and Home Health Aide program as long as Congress is notified 90 days before the reduction takes effect. This could be seen as a burden or negative because it still permits rate cuts that could affect service providers after the waiting period passes.
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+8Good For Rural Residents+7Good For People With Disabilities+6Good For Retirees+6Good For Seniors+6Good For Business Owners+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Veterans Healthcare+8Improves Healthcare Access+6
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+8
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+3
- 7/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.