LINC VA Act

Key Points

• The LINC VA Act creates a new pilot program to help veterans find local help for things like housing, food, and job training. It uses a digital platform to connect the VA with local charities and government groups so veterans do not have to hunt for help on their own.
• The program will start in at least five VA medical centers across the country. The law requires the VA to include rural areas and clinics that do not have many resources yet, ensuring veterans in hard-to-reach places get the same level of support as those in big cities.
• VA doctors will start asking veterans about 'social factors' that affect their health, such as whether they have enough food or a safe place to live. This information helps the VA understand what kind of extra support a veteran might need beyond just medical treatment.
• The system will track how well these referrals work. It will keep tabs on how fast local groups respond to veterans and whether the veteran actually got the help they needed, rather than just being handed a phone number and left to figure it out.
• The government will work with states to link this program with Medicaid. This ensures that veterans who use state-funded health insurance can still easily access these community support services without running into red tape between different agencies.

Impact Analysis

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