To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish seasonal influenza vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-hr-5671
Sponsor: Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41]
Introduced: 2021-10-21 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Disability and paralysis
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care coverage and access
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-21
text: 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a seasonal influenza vaccine to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
 
Under the bill, covered individuals are
 
 
 veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system;
 
specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad;
 
beneficiaries who are eligible for care due to a specified disability or death of a veteran;
 
family caregivers of veterans who are participating in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;
 
caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of General Caregiver Support Services;
 
caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program; and
 
the spouses of veterans.
 
 
The VA must prioritize the vaccination of (1) veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) veterans who fail to enroll but receive hospital care and medical services for specified disabilities in their first 12 months of separation from service, and (3) caregivers accompanying such prioritized veterans.
 
Under the bill, the VA is authorized to determine the timing for offering a vaccine to the spouse of a veteran.

action_date: 2021-11-15
text: 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a seasonal influenza vaccine through April 29, 2022, to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
 
Under the bill, covered individuals are
 
 
 veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system;
 
specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad;
 
beneficiaries who are eligible for care due to a specified disability or death of a veteran;
 
family caregivers of veterans who are participating in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;
 
caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of General Caregiver Support Services;
 
caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program; and
 
the spouses of veterans.
 
 
The VA must prioritize the vaccination of (1) veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) veterans who fail to enroll but receive hospital care and medical services for specified disabilities in their first 12 months of separation from service, and (3) caregivers accompanying such prioritized veterans.
 
Under the bill, the VA is authorized to determine the timing for offering a vaccine to the spouse of a veteran.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6257)
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6257)
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5671.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6257)
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Subcommittee on Health Discharged.
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-11-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-10-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-10-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-21
text: Introduced in House