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H.R. 6445 110th Congress House

Veterans' Health Care Policy Enhancement Act of 2008

Official title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain copayments from veterans who are catastrophically disabled, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 9, 2008 See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security AIDS (Disease)CoinsuranceCollection of accountsCounseling
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Department of Veterans AffairsDisabledExecutive reorganizationFamiliesFamily servicesFinance and Financial SectorGovernment Operations and PoliticsHealthHospital careHospital ratesHuman immunodeficiency virusesMedical economicsMedical screeningMedical testsNursing homesPainSocial WelfareVeterans' medical care
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This bill died when the 110th Congress ended
It never became law before the 110th Congress (2007–2008) 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 31, 2008
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jul 30, 2008
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Jul 30, 2008
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 30, 2008
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 - 0 (Roll no. 541). (text: CR 7/29/2008 H7240)
Jul 30, 2008
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7531)
Jul 29, 2008
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Moran (KS) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
Jul 29, 2008
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6445.
Jul 29, 2008
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7240-7244)
Jul 29, 2008
Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 29, 2008
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 505.
Jul 29, 2008
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 110-786.
Jul 16, 2008
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jul 16, 2008
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 10, 2008
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Unanimous Consent .
Jul 10, 2008
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 10, 2008
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jul 9, 2008
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jul 9, 2008
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jul 30, 2008 House · vote #541 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 421–0 See who voted →
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 Latest action July 31, 2008

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

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Veterans' Health Care Policy Enhancement Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Prohibits the collection by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of copayments or other fees for hospital or nursing home care in the case of catastrophically disabled veterans.

(Sec. 3) Repeals a current requirement that, in order for a family member of a non-service-connected disabled veteran to be eligible for counseling services, the counseling must be essential to permit the discharge of the veteran from the hospital.

(Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) develop and implement a comprehensive policy on the management of pain experienced by veterans enrolled for VA health care services; (2) periodically revise the policy; and (3) report annually through FY2018 to the congressional veterans' committees on policy implementation.

(Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary, within five years after the enactment of this Act, to establish up to seven consolidated patient accounting centers for conducting industry-modeled regionalized VA billing and collection activities.

(Sec. 6) Repeals a provision of the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 requiring written informed consent for HIV testing among veterans.

 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6445: Veterans' Health Care Policy Enhancement Act of 2008. 110th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6445/
MLA
"H.R. 6445: Veterans' Health Care Policy Enhancement Act of 2008." 110th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6445/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6445, 110th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6445/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6445: Veterans' Health Care Policy Enhancement Act of 2008](https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6445/)
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