HR 3978
114th Congress
House
Armed Forces and National Security
Administrative remedies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Hospital care
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' organizations and recognition
Ensuring Fair Access to Veterans Healthcare Act
Introduced: November 5, 2015
See on congress.gov
Everywhere this bill has been
3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 3, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Nov 5, 2015
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Nov 5, 2015
Introduced in House
Plain-English summary
Ensuring Fair Access to Veterans Healthcare Act
This bill establishes in the Veterans Health Administration an Office of the Ombudsman, which shall:
- investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of patients receiving medical care or hospital services at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility (covered patients) that relate to action, inaction, or decisions made by VA employees that may adversely affect such patients;
- assist covered patients in finding patient advocates, veterans service organizations, or other similar entities to advocate for their health, safety, welfare, and rights;
- ensure that covered patients have regular and timely access to Office services;
- administer the reporting system provided for by this Act; and
- provide training to local ombudsmen and volunteers.
The Office shall establish a reporting system to collect and analyze complaint data in order to determine how to resolve significant VA medical facility problems.
Each VA medical facility shall have a local ombudsman responsible for carrying out the duties of the Office at such location.
What's happening now
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Committees of jurisdiction
2