Bill Summary
The "Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2025" is a legislative proposal aimed at enhancing support for Native Hawaiian veterans through improved access to housing loans and medical care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Housing Loans**: The bill modifies the definition of eligible Native Hawaiian veterans for direct housing loans to align with existing laws under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. This change aims to ensure that Native Hawaiian veterans have equitable access to housing assistance similar to that available to Native American veterans.
2. **Medical Care Reimbursement**: The legislation establishes a framework for the VA to reimburse costs for medical care services provided to veterans through the Native Hawaiian health care system. This includes care delivered directly, as well as services obtained through referrals or contracts.
3. **Cost Sharing Exemptions**: The bill proposes to exempt Native Hawaiians from certain cost-sharing requirements for VA medical services, thereby reducing financial barriers for eligible veterans seeking care.
Overall, this act seeks to rectify disparities in services provided to Native Hawaiian veterans, ensuring they receive the support they deserve in housing and healthcare.
Possible Impacts
The "Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2025" could affect people in several ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Improved Access to Housing Loans**: By amending the provisions related to direct housing loans for Native Hawaiian veterans, the legislation aims to streamline and enhance access to these loans. This could enable more Native Hawaiian veterans to secure financing for home purchases or improvements, thus providing them with better living conditions and stability.
2. **Enhanced Medical Care Reimbursement**: The act includes provisions for the reimbursement of costs incurred by the Native Hawaiian health care system when providing services to eligible veterans. This could lead to improved financial viability for these health care systems, allowing them to offer more comprehensive services. Consequently, Native Hawaiian veterans may experience better access to medical care tailored to their needs.
3. **Cost Sharing Exemptions**: The legislation introduces exemptions from cost-sharing for Native Hawaiian veterans receiving care. This means that eligible Native Hawaiian veterans may have lower out-of-pocket expenses for medical services, making it more financially feasible for them to access necessary health care. This could significantly reduce financial strain and encourage more veterans to seek medical assistance when needed.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3610 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3610
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of
direct housing loans and medical care from the Department of Veterans
Affairs for Native Hawaiians.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 23, 2025
Ms. Tokuda (for herself and Mr. Case) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of
direct housing loans and medical care from the Department of Veterans
Affairs for Native Hawaiians.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans
Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. MODIFICATION TO PROGRAM FOR DIRECT HOUSING LOANS MADE TO NATIVE
AMERICAN VETERANS BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 3765(3)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``as that term'' and all that follows through ``42 Stat.
108)'' and inserting ``as defined in section 801 of the Native American
Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C.
4221)''.
SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENT OF PROVISION OF MEDICAL CARE FROM DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR NATIVE HAWAIIANS.
(a) Reimbursement of Costs of Certain Care Provided Through Native
Hawaiian Health Care System.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1703G
the following new section:
``Sec. 1703H. Reimbursement of costs of certain care provided through
Native Hawaiian health care system
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall reimburse a Native Hawaiian
health care system for the costs of care or services provided through
such system to veterans eligible for such care or services under the
laws administered by the Secretary, regardless of whether such care or
services are provided directly through such system, through purchased
or referred care, or through a contract for travel.
``(b) Native Hawaiian Health Care System Defined.--The term `Native
Hawaiian health care system' has the meaning given that term in section
12 of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act (42 U.S.C.
11711).''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 1703G the following new item:
``1703H. Reimbursement of costs of certain care provided through Native
Hawaiian health care system.''.
(b) Exemption From Cost Sharing.--Section 1730A(b) of such title is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) is a Native Hawaiian (as defined in section 12 of the
Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act (42 U.S.C.
11711)).''.
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