H.R. 217, CHIP IN for Veterans Act; H.R. 1969, No Wrong Door for Veterans Act; H.R. 1971, Veterans Supporting Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreational Therapy (SPORT) Act; H.R. 1823, The VA Budget Accountability Act; H.R. 1107, The Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act; H.R. 1336, The Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Act; H.R. 658, To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish qualifications for the appointment of a person as a marriage and family therapist, qualified to provide clinical supervision, in the Veterans Health Administration; H.R. 1644, Copay Fairness for Veterans Act; and H.R. 1860, The Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act.
2025-03-25
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Source: Congress.gov
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Transcript
On a few of the bills being considered, I look forward to addressing our policy concerns and working with the minority on moving these bills forward. In accordance with committee rules, the subcommittee has contacted the Congressional Budget Office seeking informal preliminary cost estimates for each of these bills being considered this afternoon. While many of the bills on our agenda will most likely have a score, we do not have estimates for all of the bills on today's markup. None of the bills today include the offsets that would be necessary to move the bills forward. However, as we discuss what bills will go to the full committee markup and then to the floor, we'll add offsets to ensure that we are in accordance with House rules and that we are protecting the American taxpayer. I look forward to working with Ranking Member Brownlee and the other members of the subcommittee to find offsets for the common sense proposals considered today. Of note, there are still multiple opportunities to improve and make necessary changes to these bills. Ranking Member Brownlee and I will continue working with our colleagues on the committee and any stakeholders that have feedback on these bills as we continue to work through the legislative process to bring the best bills forward. A majority of the bills on today's agenda, including my bills, are focused on ensuring quality mental health and prosthetic care and have bipartisan support. I understand, however, that the minority may have concerns with several of our bills, including Representative Murphy's bill, H.R. 1336, which would establish a pilot program to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapies to veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. I commend Representative Murphy for his efforts. We should be doing all we can to help our veterans suffering from the wounds sustained during their service and furnishing promising HBOT therapies that take meaningful steps towards that end. I now recognize Ranking Member Brownlee for any opening remarks you may have. Thank you, Madam Chair, for organizing this afternoon's markup. In the interest of promptly proceeding with our markup and the oversight hearing to follow, I will forego an opening statement.
Thank you for that gracious concession, Ranking Member Brownlee. Today we have on block H.R. 217, H.R. 1971, H.R. 1107, H.R. 1644, and H.R. 1860. I now ask unanimous consent to consider the following five bills on block, H.R. 217, H.R. 1971, H.R. 1107, H.R. 1644, and H.R. 1860. Hearing no objections, so ordered. The clerk shall report the bill. H.R. 217. To amend Title 38, the bills were circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules. I ask that the reading of the bills be dispensed with and the bills be open to amendment at any point. Without objection, so ordered. Does any member wish to speak on any of the bills included in the on block?
I wish to speak. The chair recognized Ranking Member Brownlee. Thank you, Chairwoman. I'm glad that this en bloc includes two bills that are priorities of our Democratic members. This includes Representative Underwood's Copay Fairness for Veterans Act, H.R. 1644, which will eliminate financial barriers that could prevent veterans from accessing basic preventive health care. This legislation will waive co-pays for certain immunizations, certain services recommended by the United States Preventive Service Task Force, and preventive services for women, including contraceptives approved by the FDA. Under the Affordable Care Act, almost all private health insurance plans are required to provide coverage of preventive services without charging copays. However, while most civilians have been able to access preventive services without copays for nearly 15 years, thanks to the ACA, the same guarantee does not exist for veterans who access care at the VA. Representative Underwood's bill would correct this.
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