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H.R. 2123 115th Congress House

VETS Act of 2017

Official title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the ability of health care professionals to treat veterans through the use of telemedicine, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 2, 2017 Introduced by: Glenn Thompson Republican · Pennsylvania See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security Congressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsHealth personnelHealth technology, devices, supplies
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Licensing and registrationsVeterans' medical care
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) 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 13 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 8, 2017
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Nov 7, 2017
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 7, 2017
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8556-8557)
Nov 7, 2017
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8556-8557)
Nov 7, 2017
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2123.
Nov 7, 2017
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8556-8558)
Nov 7, 2017
Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Nov 7, 2017
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 290.
Nov 7, 2017
Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-394.
Nov 2, 2017
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Nov 2, 2017
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 25, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 25, 2017
Introduced in House
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 Latest action November 8, 2017

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

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support Act of 2017 or the VETS Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill allows a licensed health care professional of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to practice his or her profession using telemedicine at any location in any state regardless of where the professional or patient is located if the covered health care professional is using telemedicine to provide VA medical or health services.

Such authority shall apply to a covered health care professional regardless of whether the covered health care professional or patient is located in a federally-owned facility.

The bill defines "covered health care professional" as a health care professional who: (1) is a VA employee appointed under specified VA authorities or under the civil service; (2) is authorized by the VA to provide health care; (3) is required to adhere to all telemedicine quality standards; and (4) has an active, current, full, and unrestricted state license, registration, or certification for such health care profession.

The VA shall report to Congress on the effectiveness of the VA's use of telemedicine.

 Related & companion bills 7
  • S 925 Identical bill VETS Act of 2017
  • HR 5674 VA MISSION Act of 2018
  • S 2193 Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017
  • S 2372 VA MISSION Act of 2018
  • HR 4242 VA Care in the Community Act
  • S 2906 VA MISSION Act of 2018
  • HR 1152 Care Veterans Deserve Act of 2017
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 15
All 15 Democratic 4 Republican 6
Messer, Luke
· Nov 6, 2017
Young, David
· Nov 6, 2017
 R
Arrington, Jodey C.
Texas · Oct 3, 2017
 R
Bergman, Jack
Michigan · Oct 3, 2017
 D
Welch, Peter
Vermont · Sep 5, 2017
 R
Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman
American Samoa · Aug 8, 2017
WALDEN, GREG
· Jul 28, 2017
 R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Jun 6, 2017
O'Rourke, Beto
· May 24, 2017
 D
Pocan, Mark
Wisconsin · May 11, 2017
 R
Schweikert, David
Arizona · May 11, 2017
 R
Kelly, Mike
Pennsylvania · May 2, 2017
 D
Brownley, Julia
California · Apr 25, 2017
 D
Espaillat, Adriano
New York · Apr 25, 2017
LOBIONDO, FRANK
· Apr 25, 2017
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2123: VETS Act of 2017. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-2123/
MLA
"H.R. 2123: VETS Act of 2017." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-2123/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2123, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-2123/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2123: VETS Act of 2017](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-2123/)
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