This legislation mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement a five-year pilot program, commencing one year after enactment, to provide eligible veterans with Veteran Health Savings Accounts (VHSAs). The primary goal of this program is to offer veterans an alternative for receiving primary care services through non-Department direct primary care service arrangements. This initiative aims to expand access to care options for veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs patient enrollment system. Participating veterans will utilize these VHSAs to cover the costs of direct primary care, including periodic physician fees, medical services for diagnosis and treatment, and prescription or non-prescription medicines. However, veterans who opt into this program will temporarily forgo primary medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs that is covered by their direct primary care arrangement. The Secretary will determine the annual amount deposited into each account, consulting with actuarial services, and is also tasked with establishing measures to prevent fraudulent activity. The authority to deposit funds into these accounts will terminate five years after the bill's enactment, with regular reports on implementation and results submitted to Congress.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Armed Forces and National Security
Congressional oversightFraud offenses and financial crimesHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessMedical tests and diagnostic methodsPrescription drugsVeterans' medical care
Veterans Access to Direct Primary Care Act
USA119th CongressHR-961| House
| Updated: 3/6/2025
This legislation mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement a five-year pilot program, commencing one year after enactment, to provide eligible veterans with Veteran Health Savings Accounts (VHSAs). The primary goal of this program is to offer veterans an alternative for receiving primary care services through non-Department direct primary care service arrangements. This initiative aims to expand access to care options for veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs patient enrollment system. Participating veterans will utilize these VHSAs to cover the costs of direct primary care, including periodic physician fees, medical services for diagnosis and treatment, and prescription or non-prescription medicines. However, veterans who opt into this program will temporarily forgo primary medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs that is covered by their direct primary care arrangement. The Secretary will determine the annual amount deposited into each account, consulting with actuarial services, and is also tasked with establishing measures to prevent fraudulent activity. The authority to deposit funds into these accounts will terminate five years after the bill's enactment, with regular reports on implementation and results submitted to Congress.
Congressional oversightFraud offenses and financial crimesHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessMedical tests and diagnostic methodsPrescription drugsVeterans' medical care