I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9996 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 15, 2024 Mr. Yakym introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to the laws relating to patient advocacy for patients who receive health care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Veterans Advocate Act of 2024 . 2. Independent Office of the National Veterans’ Advocate in Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Section 7309A of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking the section heading and inserting the following new section heading: 7309A. Office of the National Veterans’ Advocate ; (2) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking within the Office of the Under Secretary for Health and inserting within the Office of the Secretary ; (B) by striking an office and inserting an independent office ; and (C) by striking Office of Patient Advocacy and inserting Office of the National Veterans’ Advocate ; (3) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking Office of Patient Advocacy and inserting Office of the National Veterans’ Advocate ; and (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) by striking Office of Patient Advocacy and inserting Office of the National Veterans’ Advocate ; (ii) by striking by the Under Secretary for Health and inserting by the Secretary ; and (iii) by striking shall report directly to the Under Secretary for Health and inserting shall be independent of the Secretary ; (4) in subsection (c)— (A) by striking the subsection heading and inserting (c) Functions .— ; (B) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking function and inserting functions ; (ii) by striking is and inserting are ; and (iii) by inserting before the period at the end the following: and to monitor Department processes and make recommendations to Congress on how to improve the Department’s efficiency and care for veterans ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (4) On a quarterly basis, the Director shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives independent legislative recommendations for the improvement of health outcomes for veterans, the quality of health care and benefits provided by the Department, and the cost efficiency of the Department. Such recommendations may not be reviewed by the Secretary or by any other official of the Department prior to submission. (5) The Office shall have a designated publicly accessible website that includes access to the information technology system required under paragraph (3). ; (5) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and (6) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection (f): (f) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 73 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 7309A and inserting the following new item: 7309A. Office of the National Veterans’ Advocate. .