U.S. Vets of the FAS Act
Congress seeks VA telehealth and mail-order pharmacy access for veterans in the Freely Associated States
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to quickly make agreements with the Freely Associated States so veterans there can get VA health services.
- Says the services must include, at minimum, telehealth appointments and prescription medicines delivered by mail.
- Sets a timeline: VA should start outreach within 30 days of the law, and have agreements and services running within 1 year (as much as practical).
- Strengthens a rule on travel help: if VA offers beneficiary travel payments in a year, it must provide the payments that the law allows; starts applying 1 year after enactment.
- Requires VA to send Congress reports at least every 3 months on progress, costs, and what’s slowing things down until services are up and running.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
4 articles
Congress pushes VA to help COFA veterans
Covers legislation requiring VA telehealth, mail-order pharmacy and travel reimbursements for veterans in the Freely Associated States, and explains the COFA context and access barriers.
Senate passes Schatz legislation to expand VA services to US Veterans in Freely Associated States
Reports on Senate passage and highlights required VA telehealth, mail-order pharmacy benefits, and beneficiary travel reimbursements for veterans in Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.
Senate Passes Schatz Legislation To Expand VA Services To U.S. Veterans In Freely Associated States
Announces Senate passage of the Caring for Veterans and Strengthening National Security Act, requiring VA telehealth, mail-order pharmacy, and beneficiary travel reimbursements for veterans in the FAS.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
U.S. Vets of the FAS Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(4)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.