Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act

Bill: 117-hr-4673
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41]
Introduced: 2021-07-22
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight

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Veterans' medical care
Latest action: action_date: 2022-01-20
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-07-22
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act or the EVEST Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to automatically enroll veterans who are eligible for VA health care into the VA health care system upon the receipt of information from the Defense Manpower Data Center of the Department of Defense that proves eligibility of such veterans for enrollment. </p> <p>Any veteran who is eligible for automatic enrollment must be able to access an electronic version of the certificate of eligibility and an electronic mechanism to opt out of such enrollment.</p>

action_date: 2022-01-06
action_desc: Reported to House
text: <p><strong>Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act or the EVEST Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to automatically enroll veterans who are eligible for VA health care into the VA health care system upon the receipt of information from the Defense Manpower Data Center of the Department of Defense that proves eligibility of such veterans for enrollment. </p> <p>Any veteran who is eligible for automatic enrollment must be able to access an electronic version of the certificate of eligibility and an electronic mechanism to opt out of such enrollment.</p>

action_date: 2022-01-20
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><strong>Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act or the EVEST Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to automatically enroll veterans who are eligible for VA health care into the VA health care system upon the receipt of information from the Defense Manpower Data Center of the Department of Defense that proves eligibility of such veterans for enrollment.</p> <p>The VA must provide a veteran notice that the veteran has been enrolled, instructions on how the veteran may elect to opt out of such enrollment, and instructions for how such veteran may elect to enroll at a later date.</p> <p>Notice or instructions must be provided in a physical copy and, as is practical, in an electronic copy. Additionally, the VA must consider using mass texting capabilities to provide the notice and relevant instructions required by this bill.</p> <p>The provisions of the bill apply to veterans who are discharged or separated from the Armed Forces on or after the date that is 90 days before this bill's enactment.</p> <p>Any veteran who is eligible for automatic enrollment must be able to access an electronic version of the certificate of eligibility and an electronic mechanism to opt out of such enrollment.</p> <p>The Government Accountability Office must report on the best methods for the VA to provide notice regarding a veteran's automatic enrollment in the VA health care system and related instructions.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4673 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 22, 2021 Mr. Takano introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the automatic enrollment of eligible veterans in patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition Act or the EVEST Act . 2. Automatic enrollment of eligible veterans in patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) (1) The Secretary shall enroll each veteran described in subsection (a) in the patient enrollment system under this section by not later than 60 days after receiving the information described in paragraph (3) with respect to the veteran. (2) Not later than 60 days after enrolling a veteran under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide to the veteran— (A) notice of the veteran’s enrollment; and (B) instructions for how the veteran may opt out of such enrollment, at the election of the veteran. (3) The information described in this paragraph is the appropriate information concerning eligibility for enrollment in the patient enrollment system under this section, as provided by the Defense Manpower Data Center of the Department of Defense, or such successor entity of the Department. . (b) Applicability Subsection (d) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to a veteran with respect to whom the Secretary receives the information described in paragraph (3) of such subsection on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Electronic certificates of eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs patient enrollment system Not later than August 1, 2022, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that any veteran who is eligible for automatic enrollment in the patient enrollment system under subsection (d) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), is able to access— (1) an electronic version of the certificate of eligibility showing the veteran’s eligibility for such enrollment; and (2) an electronic mechanism by which the veteran may opt out of such enrollment.

tv_txt: IIB 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4673 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 20, 2022 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the automatic enrollment of eligible veterans in patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition Act or the EVEST Act . 2. Automatic enrollment of eligible veterans in patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) (1) The Secretary shall enroll each veteran described in subsection (a) in the patient enrollment system under this section by not later than 60 days after receiving the information described in paragraph (3) with respect to the veteran. (2)(A) Not later than 60 days after enrolling a veteran under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide to the veteran— (i) notice of the veteran’s enrollment; (ii) instructions for how the veteran may opt out of such enrollment, at the election of the veteran; and (iii) instructions for how the veteran may elect to enroll at a later date. (B) In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider using, to the extent practical, mass texting capabilities through mobile telephones. (C) Any notice or instructions required to be provided under this paragraph shall be provided in the form of a physical copy delivered by mail and, to the extent practical, in the form of an electronic copy delivered by electronic mail. (3) The information described in this paragraph is the appropriate information concerning eligibility for enrollment in the patient enrollment system under this section, as provided by the Defense Manpower Data Center of the Department of Defense, or such successor entity of the Department. . (b) Applicability Subsection (d) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to a veteran who is discharged or separated from the Armed Forces on or after the date that is 90 days before the date of the enactment of this Act and with respect to whom the Secretary receives the information described in paragraph (3) of such subsection on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Electronic certificates of eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs patient enrollment system Not later than August 1, 2022, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that any veteran who is eligible for automatic enrollment in the patient enrollment system under subsection (d) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), is able to access— (1) an electronic version of the certificate of eligibility showing the veteran’s eligibility for such enrollment; and (2) an electronic mechanism by which the veteran may opt out of such enrollment. (d) Provision of notice and information The notice and instructions required to be provided under subsection (d)(2) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall be provided in accordance with the established procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs with respect to the provision of similar types of notices and instructions. (e) Report on automatic enrollment (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the first veteran is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under subsection (d) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the enrollment process under such subsection. Such report shall include each of the following: (A) A discussion of any anticipated challenges that occurred in implementing such subsection, the strategies used to address such challenges, and the effectiveness of such strategies. (B) A discussion of any unanticipated challenges that occurred in implementing such subsection, the strategies used to address such challenges, and the effectiveness of such strategies. (C) Any additional information the Secretary determines appropriate, including information that may be useful to other Federal departments and agencies considering the implementation of similar automatic enrollment programs. (2) Form of report The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. 3. GAO report on notice of automatic enrollment in patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of a study to determine the best methods for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide notice under paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 2. In making such determination, the Comptroller General shall consider needs of veterans based on— (1) age; (2) residence in urban areas; and (3) residence in rural areas.

Passed the House of Representatives January 20, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4673 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the automatic enrollment of eligible veterans in patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition Act or the EVEST Act . 2. Automatic enrollment of eligible veterans in patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) (1) The Secretary shall enroll each veteran described in subsection (a) in the patient enrollment system under this section by not later than 60 days after receiving the information described in paragraph (3) with respect to the veteran. (2)(A) Not later than 60 days after enrolling a veteran under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide to the veteran— (i) notice of the veteran’s enrollment; (ii) instructions for how the veteran may opt out of such enrollment, at the election of the veteran; and (iii) instructions for how the veteran may elect to enroll at a later date. (B) In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider using, to the extent practical, mass texting capabilities through mobile telephones. (C) Any notice or instructions required to be provided under this paragraph shall be provided in the form of a physical copy delivered by mail and, to the extent practical, in the form of an electronic copy delivered by electronic mail. (3) The information described in this paragraph is the appropriate information concerning eligibility for enrollment in the patient enrollment system under this section, as provided by the Defense Manpower Data Center of the Department of Defense, or such successor entity of the Department. . (b) Applicability Subsection (d) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to a veteran who is discharged or separated from the Armed Forces on or after the date that is 90 days before the date of the enactment of this Act and with respect to whom the Secretary receives the information described in paragraph (3) of such subsection on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Electronic certificates of eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs patient enrollment system Not later than August 1, 2022, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that any veteran who is eligible for automatic enrollment in the patient enrollment system under subsection (d) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), is able to access— (1) an electronic version of the certificate of eligibility showing the veteran’s eligibility for such enrollment; and (2) an electronic mechanism by which the veteran may opt out of such enrollment. (d) Provision of notice and information The notice and instructions required to be provided under subsection (d)(2) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall be provided in accordance with the established procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs with respect to the provision of similar types of notices and instructions. (e) Report on automatic enrollment (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the first veteran is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under subsection (d) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the enrollment process under such subsection. Such report shall include each of the following: (A) A discussion of any anticipated challenges that occurred in implementing such subsection, the strategies used to address such challenges, and the effectiveness of such strategies. (B) A discussion of any unanticipated challenges that occurred in implementing such subsection, the strategies used to address such challenges, and the effectiveness of such strategies. (C) Any additional information the Secretary determines appropriate, including information that may be useful to other Federal departments and agencies considering the implementation of similar automatic enrollment programs. (2) Form of report The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. 3. GAO report on notice of automatic enrollment in patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of a study to determine the best methods for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide notice under paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 2. In making such determination, the Comptroller General shall consider needs of veterans based on— (1) age; (2) residence in urban areas; and (3) residence in rural areas.

Passed the House of Representatives January 20, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 160 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4673 [Report No. 117–223] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 22, 2021 Mr. Takano introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs January 6, 2022 Reported from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs ; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the automatic enrollment of eligible veterans in patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition Act or the EVEST Act . 2. Automatic enrollment of eligible veterans in patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) (1) The Secretary shall enroll each veteran described in subsection (a) in the patient enrollment system under this section by not later than 60 days after receiving the information described in paragraph (3) with respect to the veteran. (2) Not later than 60 days after enrolling a veteran under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide to the veteran— (A) notice of the veteran’s enrollment; and (B) instructions for how the veteran may opt out of such enrollment, at the election of the veteran. (3) The information described in this paragraph is the appropriate information concerning eligibility for enrollment in the patient enrollment system under this section, as provided by the Defense Manpower Data Center of the Department of Defense, or such successor entity of the Department. . (b) Applicability Subsection (d) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to a veteran with respect to whom the Secretary receives the information described in paragraph (3) of such subsection on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Electronic certificates of eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs patient enrollment system Not later than August 1, 2022, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that any veteran who is eligible for automatic enrollment in the patient enrollment system under subsection (d) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), is able to access— (1) an electronic version of the certificate of eligibility showing the veteran’s eligibility for such enrollment; and (2) an electronic mechanism by which the veteran may opt out of such enrollment.

January 6, 2022 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed