Veterans' Health Care Policy Enhancement Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6445
Sponsor: Rep. Cazayoux, Donald J., Jr. [D-LA-6]
Introduced: 2008-07-09 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: AIDS (Disease)
Coinsurance
Collection of accounts
Counseling
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disabled
Executive reorganization
Families
Family services
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Hospital care
Hospital rates
Human immunodeficiency viruses
Medical economics
Medical screening
Medical tests
Nursing homes
Pain
Social Welfare
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-09
text: 
Prohibits the collection by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of copayments or other fees for hospital or nursing home care in the case of catastrophically disabled veterans.

action_date: 2008-07-30
text: 
Veterans' Health Care Policy Enhancement Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Prohibits the collection by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of copayments or other fees for hospital or nursing home care in the case of catastrophically disabled veterans.
 
(Sec. 3) Repeals a current requirement that, in order for a family member of a non-service-connected disabled veteran to be eligible for counseling services, the counseling must be essential to permit the discharge of the veteran from the hospital.
 
(Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) develop and implement a comprehensive policy on the management of pain experienced by veterans enrolled for VA health care services; (2) periodically revise the policy; and (3) report annually through FY2018 to the congressional veterans' committees on policy implementation.
 
(Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary, within five years after the enactment of this Act, to establish up to seven consolidated patient accounting centers for conducting industry-modeled regionalized VA billing and collection activities.
 
(Sec. 6) Repeals a provision of the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 requiring written informed consent for HIV testing among veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 - 0 (Roll no. 541). (text: CR 7/29/2008 H7240)
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 - 0 (Roll no. 541).(text: CR 7/29/2008 H7240)
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7531)
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Moran (KS) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6445.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7240-7244)
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 505.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 110-786.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 110-786.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Unanimous Consent .
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-07-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-09
text: Introduced in House