Bills
| 3.23.22

Extending Expiring Provisions at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (S. 2082)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is S. 2082?

(Updated October 18, 2017)

This bill was enacted on September 30, 2015

This bill would extend a number of authorities at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) that are set to expire on September 30, 2015 under current law.


There are several health care related provisions that would be extended, including:

  • The collection of copayments for hospital care and nursing home care;

  • Extending the requirement to provide nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities;

  • Extending the authorization of funding for the support of caregivers, and the pilot program for child care for veterans receiving treatment;

  • Grants for rural health care for veterans, and counseling for women who have recently left the service.


Among the benefits related provisions that would be extended are the following:

  • The Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education would be extended;

  • Rehabilitation and vocational benefits would be extended for members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses.


Numerous programs for homeless veterans would be reauthorized, including:

  • Reintegration programs, and programs for homeless veterans with children;

  • Housing assistance for homeless veterans and financial support for very low-income veterans in permanent housing;

  • Treatment and rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill veterans;

  • Referral and counseling services for veterans that are at risk of homelessness.


There are also several provisions to provide additional appropriations for the construction of a VA medical facility in Denver, Colorado which has faced cost overruns and delays. It would receive an additional $625 million in funding, and be subject to a requirement to use a federal entity outside of the VA for project management.

Argument in favor

America’s veterans can’t afford a lapse in the services the VA provides them. Passing this bill is essential to ensure they receive the care they need.

Argument opposed

Congress shouldn’t vote on a blanket reauthorization of these VA authorities, and instead ought to go through each program on its own merits.

Impact

Veterans and their families, health care and rehabilitation providers, the Denver VA facility, and the VA.

Cost of S. 2082

The CBO estimates that the House version of this legislation would reduce spending by $1 million over the 2016-2025 period, while provisions related to the Denver VA facility would cost an additional $625 million over the same period.

Additional Info

In-Depth: The Senate passed this legislation by voice vote on September 24, 2015. Companion bills were introduced in the House that addressed the expiring VA authorities in one piece of legislation, and the Denver VA facility in another.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: Flickr user Secretary of Defense)