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HR 1749 115th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Dental care Department of Veterans Affairs Digestive and metabolic diseases Health personnel Home and outpatient care Medical education Veterans' medical care

VET CARE Act of 2017

Introduced: March 28, 2017 Introduced by: Bilirakis, Gus M. Republican · Florida See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 28, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Mar 28, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 28, 2017
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Veterans Early Treatment for Chronic Ailment Resurgence through Examinations Act of 2017 or the VET CARE Act of 2017

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) carry out a four-year pilot program in five Veterans Health Administration facilities to provide outpatient dental services and treatment, and related dental appliances, to eligible veterans at no cost; and (2) determine whether there is a correlation between veterans receiving such services and their suffering fewer complications of chronic ailments, thereby yielding a lower cost of care.

"Eligible veterans" means veterans who are:

  • enrolled in, but not eligible for dental care under, the VA's health care program;
  • between 40 and 70 years of age; and
  • diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Applicants shall receive an initial periodontal evaluation. Those diagnosed with periodontal disease that requires surgery shall be disqualified.

The VA shall enroll at least 1,500 eligible veterans, one-third of whom shall have been diagnosed with no or mild periodontitis and two-thirds of whom shall have been diagnosed with moderate to severe periodontitis.

What's happening now March 28, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2