King-Hinds’ Veterans Bills Included in House-Passed Legislation on Veterans Day

King-Hinds’ Veterans Bills Included in House-Passed Legislation on Veterans Day

Provisions based on H.R. 3400 and H.R. 6652 would expand access to VA physicians and health care services for veterans in the CNMI and Freely Associated States

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Veterans Day, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, which includes two provisions introduced by Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP) to expand access to health care for veterans living in U.S. territories and the Freely Associated States.

The provisions, originally introduced as H.R. 3400, the TRAVEL Act, and H.R. 6652, the U.S. Vets of the FAS Act, address longstanding challenges facing veterans in the Pacific, where distance from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities can make it difficult to access timely and consistent care.

“On Veterans Day, I can think of no better way to honor our veterans than by taking action to improve the care and services available to them,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “Veterans who call the Pacific home should not have to travel thousands of miles or navigate unnecessary barriers to receive the health care they have earned. Geography should never determine whether a veteran can access the care they need. I introduced these bills because our veterans in the CNMI and throughout the Pacific deserve meaningful access to quality care, regardless of where they live. I’m proud to see both provisions included in legislation that passed the House today.”

Expanding Access to VA Physicians in U.S. Territories

Section 304 of H.R. 9237 incorporates H.R. 3400, the TRAVEL Act. The provision authorizes the VA to assign traveling physicians to serve for periods of up to one year in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The provision is intended to help address gaps in access to VA health care in communities where veterans may otherwise need to travel long distances to receive medical services.

Improving Health Care Access for Veterans in the Freely Associated States

Section 309 incorporates H.R. 6652, the U.S. Vets of the FAS Act. The provision requires the VA to formalize agreements with the Freely Associated States – the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands – to expand health care services for eligible veterans.

These agreements would support services such as telehealth, mail-order prescriptions, and travel benefits. The provision also authorizes the VA to send clinical personnel to the Freely Associated States to provide care directly.

“Many of the veterans who served our country come from the same Pacific communities that have stood alongside the United States for generations,” King-Hinds added. “Our relationship with the Freely Associated States is built on longstanding partnerships and shared sacrifices. We have a responsibility to make sure veterans who live in these communities are not left behind because of the distance between their homes and a VA medical center.”

Passage of H.R. 9237 on Veterans Day is an important step toward strengthening support for veterans and improving access to the care and benefits they have earned. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.