Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize All Veterans and Every Spouse Act

Bill: 117-hr-1276
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41]
Introduced: 2021-02-24
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Disability and paralysis

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Hospital care

Immunology and vaccination

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Veterans' medical care
Latest action: action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-02-24
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans' and Caregivers' COVID-19 Immunizations Now Expanded Act of 2021 or the VA VACCINE Act of 2021</b></p> <p>This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency. </p> <p>Under the bill, covered individuals are</p> <ul> <li>veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system;</li> <li>specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad;</li> <li>family caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;</li> <li>caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of General Caregiver Support Services; and </li> <li>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.</li> </ul> <p>The VA must prioritize the vaccination of veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system. Additionally, vaccines furnished abroad are authorized regardless of whether vaccines are needed for the treatment of veterans with a service-connected disability (including those participating in a VA rehabilitation program).</p>

action_date: 2021-03-09
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><b>Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans' and Caregivers' COVID-19 Immunizations Now Expanded Act of 2021 or the VA VACCINE Act of 2021</b></p> <p>This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency. </p> <p>Under the bill, covered individuals are</p> <ul> <li>veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system;</li> <li>specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad;</li> <li>family caregivers who are approved as providers of personal care services for veterans under the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;</li> <li>caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of General Caregiver Support Services; and </li> <li>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.</li> </ul> <p>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. Additionally, vaccines furnished abroad are authorized to be furnished in a geographic location other than a state regardless of whether vaccines are needed for the treatment of veterans with a service-connected disability (including those participating in a VA rehabilitation program).</p>

action_date: 2021-03-17
action_desc: Passed Senate
text: <p><b>Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize All Veterans and Every Spouse Act or the SAVE LIVES Act</b></p> <p>This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency. </p> <p>Under the bill, covered individuals are</p> <ul> <li>veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system;</li> <li>specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad;</li> <li>beneficiaries who are eligible for care due to a specified disability or death of a veteran;</li> <li>family caregivers of veterans who are participating in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;</li> <li>caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of General Caregiver Support Services;</li> <li>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</li> <li>the spouses of veterans.</li> </ul> <p>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. </p> <p>Under the bill, the VA is authorized to determine the timing for offering a vaccine to the spouse of a veteran.</p>

action_date: 2021-03-24
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p><b>Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize All Veterans and Every Spouse Act or the SAVE LIVES Act</b></p> <p>This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency. </p> <p>Under the bill, covered individuals are</p> <ul> <li>veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system;</li> <li>specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad;</li> <li>beneficiaries who are eligible for care due to a specified disability or death of a veteran;</li> <li>family caregivers of veterans who are participating in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;</li> <li>caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of General Caregiver Support Services;</li> <li>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</li> <li>the spouses of veterans.</li> </ul> <p>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. </p> <p>Under the bill, the VA is authorized to determine the timing for offering a vaccine to the spouse of a veteran.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1276 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 24, 2021 Mr. Takano (for himself and Mr. Bost ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish COVID–19 vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans’ and Caregivers’ COVID–19 Immunizations Now Expanded Act of 2021 or the VA VACCINE Act of 2021 . 2. Authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish COVID–19 vaccines to certain individuals (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may furnish a COVID–19 vaccine to a covered individual during the COVID–19 public health emergency. (b) Vaccines furnished abroad In the case of an individual who is a covered individual by reason of subsection (d)(1)(B), the Secretary may furnish a COVID–19 vaccine to such individual under subsection (a) regardless of whether the Secretary determines that such vaccine is needed for the treatment of a service-connected disability of the veteran or as part of a rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code. (c) Enrolled veteran priority In furnishing COVID–19 vaccines, the Secretary shall— (1) prioritize the vaccination of veterans who are enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, over the vaccination of covered individuals under this section; and (2) only furnish such vaccines to covered individuals under this section to the extent that such vaccines are available. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term covered individual means any of the following: (A) A veteran who is not eligible to enroll in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code. (B) A veteran who is eligible for care under section 1724 of such title. (C) A family caregiver of an eligible veteran participating in the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers under section 1720G(a) of such title. (D) A caregiver of a covered veteran participating in the program of general caregiver support services under section 1720G(b) of such title. (E) A caregiver of a veteran participating in the Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) The term COVID–19 means the coronavirus disease 2019. (3) The term COVID–19 public health emergency means the public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on January 27, 2020, with respect to the coronavirus disease 2019.

tv_txt: 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H.R. 1276 In the Senate of the United States, March 17 (legislative day, March 16), 2021. Amendment:

That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 1276) entitled An Act to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish COVID–19 vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes. , do pass with the following Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize All Veterans and Every Spouse Act or the SAVE LIVES Act . 2. Authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish COVID–19 vaccine to certain individuals not enrolled in patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may furnish a vaccine for COVID–19 to a covered individual during the COVID–19 public health emergency. (b) Prioritization In furnishing vaccines for COVID–19 under the laws administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall— (1) prioritize the vaccination of veterans who are enrolled in the patient enrollment system, veterans who receive hospital care and medical services pursuant to subsection (c)(2) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and accompanying caregivers of such veterans before the vaccination of covered individuals not otherwise described in this paragraph; and (2) only furnish vaccines for COVID–19 to covered individuals under this section to the extent that such vaccines are available. (c) Timing of vaccines provided to spouses of veterans The Secretary may determine the timing for offering a vaccine for COVID–19 to the spouse of a veteran from the Department of Veterans Affairs. (d) Vaccine allocation It is the sense of Congress that, to the extent practicable based on the current national supply chain, the Secretary of Health and Human Services should adjust the allocation for the Department of Veterans Affairs for the vaccine for COVID–19 based on the additional eligibility of covered individuals under this section. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Accompanying caregiver The term accompanying caregiver means a caregiver described in subparagraph (D), (E), or (F) of paragraph (2) who is accompanying a veteran who is receiving a vaccine for COVID–19 furnished by the Department. (2) Covered individual The term covered individual means any of the following individuals: (A) A veteran who is not eligible to enroll in the patient enrollment system. (B) A veteran who is eligible for care under section 1724 of title 38, United States Code. (C) A beneficiary under section 1781 of such title. (D) A family caregiver of a veteran participating in the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers under section 1720G(a) of such title. (E) A caregiver of a veteran participating in the program of general caregiver support services under section 1720G(b) of such title. (F) A caregiver of a veteran participating in the Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (G) A spouse of a veteran. (3) Covered public health emergency The term covered public health emergency means an emergency with respect to COVID–19 declared by a Federal, State, or local authority. (4) COVID–19 The term COVID–19 means the coronavirus disease 2019. (5) Patient enrollment system The term patient enrollment system means the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs established and operated under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code. (6) Veteran The term veteran has the meaning given that term in section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code.

Secretary

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1276 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish COVID–19 vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans’ and Caregivers’ COVID–19 Immunizations Now Expanded Act of 2021 or the VA VACCINE Act of 2021 . 2. Authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish COVID–19 vaccines to certain individuals (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may furnish a COVID–19 vaccine to a covered individual during the COVID–19 public health emergency. (b) Vaccines furnished abroad In the case of an individual who is a covered individual by reason of subsection (d)(2)(B), the Secretary may furnish a COVID–19 vaccine, in a geographic location other than a State, to such individual under subsection (a) regardless of whether the Secretary determines that such vaccine is needed for the treatment of a service-connected disability of the veteran or as part of a rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code. (c) Veteran and accompanying caregiver priority In furnishing COVID–19 vaccines, the Secretary shall— (1) prioritize the vaccination of veterans who are enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, veterans who fail to so enroll but receive hospital care and medical services pursuant to subsection (c)(2) of such section, and accompanying caregivers over the vaccination of covered individuals under this section not otherwise described in this paragraph; and (2) only furnish such vaccines to covered individuals under this section to the extent that such vaccines are available. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term accompanying caregiver means a caregiver described in subparagraph (C), (D), or (E) of paragraph (2) who is accompanying a veteran as described in subsection (c)(1). (2) The term covered individual means any of the following: (A) A veteran who is not eligible to enroll in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code. (B) A veteran who is eligible for care under section 1724 of such title. (C) A family caregiver who is approved as a provider of personal care services for an eligible veteran under the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers under section 1720G(a) of such title. (D) A caregiver of a covered veteran participating in the program of general caregiver support services under section 1720G(b) of such title. (E) A caregiver of a veteran participating in the Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (3) The term COVID–19 means the Coronavirus disease 2019. (4) The term COVID–19 public health emergency means the public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on January 27, 2020, with respect to the Coronavirus disease 2019. (5) The term State has the meaning given that term section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

Passed the House of Representatives March 9, 2021. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: I One Hundred Seventeenth Congress of the United States of America At the First Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Sunday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-one H. R. 1276 AN ACT To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish COVID–19 vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize All Veterans and Every Spouse Act or the SAVE LIVES Act . 2. Authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish COVID–19 vaccine to certain individuals not enrolled in patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may furnish a vaccine for COVID–19 to a covered individual during the COVID–19 public health emergency. (b) Prioritization In furnishing vaccines for COVID–19 under the laws administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall— (1) prioritize the vaccination of veterans who are enrolled in the patient enrollment system, veterans who receive hospital care and medical services pursuant to subsection (c)(2) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and accompanying caregivers of such veterans before the vaccination of covered individuals not otherwise described in this paragraph; and (2) only furnish vaccines for COVID–19 to covered individuals under this section to the extent that such vaccines are available. (c) Timing of vaccines provided to spouses of veterans The Secretary may determine the timing for offering a vaccine for COVID–19 to the spouse of a veteran from the Department of Veterans Affairs. (d) Vaccine allocation It is the sense of Congress that, to the extent practicable based on the current national supply chain, the Secretary of Health and Human Services should adjust the allocation for the Department of Veterans Affairs for the vaccine for COVID–19 based on the additional eligibility of covered individuals under this section. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Accompanying caregiver The term accompanying caregiver means a caregiver described in subparagraph (D), (E), or (F) of paragraph (2) who is accompanying a veteran who is receiving a vaccine for COVID–19 furnished by the Department. (2) Covered individual The term covered individual means any of the following individuals: (A) A veteran who is not eligible to enroll in the patient enrollment system. (B) A veteran who is eligible for care under section 1724 of title 38, United States Code. (C) A beneficiary under section 1781 of such title. (D) A family caregiver of a veteran participating in the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers under section 1720G(a) of such title. (E) A caregiver of a veteran participating in the program of general caregiver support services under section 1720G(b) of such title. (F) A caregiver of a veteran participating in the Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (G) A spouse of a veteran. (3) Covered public health emergency The term covered public health emergency means an emergency with respect to COVID–19 declared by a Federal, State, or local authority. (4) COVID–19 The term COVID–19 means the coronavirus disease 2019. (5) Patient enrollment system The term patient enrollment system means the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs established and operated under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code. (6) Veteran The term veteran has the meaning given that term in section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code.

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1276 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 10, 2021 Received AN ACT To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish COVID–19 vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans’ and Caregivers’ COVID–19 Immunizations Now Expanded Act of 2021 or the VA VACCINE Act of 2021 . 2. Authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish COVID–19 vaccines to certain individuals (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may furnish a COVID–19 vaccine to a covered individual during the COVID–19 public health emergency. (b) Vaccines furnished abroad In the case of an individual who is a covered individual by reason of subsection (d)(2)(B), the Secretary may furnish a COVID–19 vaccine, in a geographic location other than a State, to such individual under subsection (a) regardless of whether the Secretary determines that such vaccine is needed for the treatment of a service-connected disability of the veteran or as part of a rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code. (c) Veteran and accompanying caregiver priority In furnishing COVID–19 vaccines, the Secretary shall— (1) prioritize the vaccination of veterans who are enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, veterans who fail to so enroll but receive hospital care and medical services pursuant to subsection (c)(2) of such section, and accompanying caregivers over the vaccination of covered individuals under this section not otherwise described in this paragraph; and (2) only furnish such vaccines to covered individuals under this section to the extent that such vaccines are available. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term accompanying caregiver means a caregiver described in subparagraph (C), (D), or (E) of paragraph (2) who is accompanying a veteran as described in subsection (c)(1). (2) The term covered individual means any of the following: (A) A veteran who is not eligible to enroll in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code. (B) A veteran who is eligible for care under section 1724 of such title. (C) A family caregiver who is approved as a provider of personal care services for an eligible veteran under the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers under section 1720G(a) of such title. (D) A caregiver of a covered veteran participating in the program of general caregiver support services under section 1720G(b) of such title. (E) A caregiver of a veteran participating in the Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (3) The term COVID–19 means the Coronavirus disease 2019. (4) The term COVID–19 public health emergency means the public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on January 27, 2020, with respect to the Coronavirus disease 2019. (5) The term State has the meaning given that term section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

Passed the House of Representatives March 9, 2021. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk