Health Records Enhancement Act

Key Points

• This bill would allow family members to add information to a veteran's official health record after they have passed away. This includes health problems or symptoms the family saw that might not have been recorded by a doctor while the veteran was still alive.
• The goal is to help families create a more complete picture of a veteran's health. This is often important for families trying to prove that a veteran's death or illness was caused by their military service, which can help them qualify for survivor benefits.
• The new information would be added as a supplement, meaning it sits alongside the original records. It cannot be used to change or delete what medical professionals previously wrote in the file.
• Only specific people can make these updates: someone the veteran chose before they died, or an immediate family member like a spouse, parent, or adult child. The government would have one year to create a simple process for families of veterans and TRICARE members to use.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.