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Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2003

Introduced: June 5, 2003 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 18 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 22, 2003
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jul 21, 2003
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Jul 21, 2003
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 21, 2003
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7187)
Jul 21, 2003
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7187)
Jul 21, 2003
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2357.
Jul 21, 2003
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7187-7189)
Jul 21, 2003
Mr. Simmons moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 10, 2003
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 102.
Jul 10, 2003
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-198.
Jun 26, 2003
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jun 26, 2003
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 24, 2003
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
Jun 24, 2003
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 19, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jun 5, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jun 5, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H5032-5033)
Jun 5, 2003
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Establishes a standard for access to care for veterans seeking care from the Department of Veterans Affairs of 30 days from the date the veteran contacts the Department seeking an appointment until the date on which a visit with a primary care provider is completed, or 30 days from the date on which the veteran is referred for specialty care until that date on which a visit with an appropriate specialty care provider is completed.

Directs the Secretary to develop and disseminate an appropriate standard of waiting time between the time a veteran's visit is scheduled and the time the veteran is seen by the provider. Requires periodic review of the performance of Department facilities compared to that standard.

Requires the Secretary, when unable to meet the standard for access to care, to furnish health care and services for that veteran in a non-Department facility.

What's happening now July 22, 2003

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • HR 2352 Procedurally related To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs health care for certai…
  • HR 2414 Procedurally related Department of Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Employment Act
  • S 1156 Procedurally related Veterans Health Care, Capital Asset, and Business Improvement Act of 2003
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Republican 3
R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Jun 25, 2003
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · Jun 17, 2003
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Jun 5, 2003
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2357: Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2003. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2357/
MLA
"H.R. 2357: Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2003." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2357/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2357, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2357/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2357: Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2003](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2357/)
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