Veterans Benefits Fairness and Transparency Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-7795
Sponsor: Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6]
Introduced: 2020-07-27 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Disability assistance
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-27
text: 

Veterans Benefits Fairness and Transparency Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to publish on its website the disability benefit questionnaire forms for non-VA medical providers submitting evidence regarding a disability of a claimant for purposes of VA benefits.
 
If the VA updates the questionnaire form, previous versions of the form filed by claimants must be accepted for up to one year after the form was updated.
 
The VA may waive interagency approval processes required to approve a modification to a form if such requirement applies by reason of the form being made public on the website as required by the bill.
 
The Inspector General of the VA must, through 2026, annually report on the use of such forms.

action_date: 2020-09-22
text: 

Veterans Benefits Fairness and Transparency Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to publish on its website the disability benefit questionnaire forms for non-VA medical providers submitting evidence regarding a disability of a claimant for purposes of VA benefits.
 
If the VA updates the questionnaire form, previous versions of the form filed by claimants must be accepted for up to one year after the form was updated.
 
The VA may waive interagency approval processes required to approve a modification to a form if such requirement applies by reason of the form being made public on the website as required by the bill.
 
The Inspector General of the VA must, through 2026, annually report on the use of such forms.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-23
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-22
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2020-09-22
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4685)
action_date: 2020-09-22
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2020-09-22
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7795.
action_date: 2020-09-22
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4685-4687)
action_date: 2020-09-22
text: Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2020-07-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2020-07-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-07-27
text: Introduced in House