SERVICE Act

Bill: 116-s-1594
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2019-05-22
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Conflicts and wars

Health care coverage and access

Mental health

Veterans' medical care
Latest action: action_date: 2019-05-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-05-22
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Show Esteem and Respect for Veterans by Increasing Care and Equity Act or the SERVICE Act</strong></p> <p>This bill provides eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for any mental illness through the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations. Specifically, combat veterans are eligible for such care regardless of (1) whether there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude such illness is service-connected, and (2) time limitations based on discharge or release from active military service.</p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1594 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 22, 2019 Ms. Cortez Masto (for herself and Mr. Crapo ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for unlimited eligibility for health care for mental illnesses for veterans of combat service during certain periods of hostilities and war.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Show Esteem and Respect for Veterans by Increasing Care and Equity Act or the SERVICE Act . 2. Unlimited eligibility for health care for mental illnesses for veterans of combat service during certain periods of hostilities and war (a) Eligibility Section 1710(e)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (G) Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (3), a veteran who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations (as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Defense) during World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam era, the Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, or any other period of war after the Persian Gulf War, or in combat against a hostile force during a period in which hostilities are occurring in that area, is eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care under subsection (a)(2)(F) for any mental illness, notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such illness is attributable to such service. . (b) Effective date Subparagraph (G) of section 1710(e)(1) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care provided on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.