HR 476 115th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency medical services and trauma care Employee performance Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management Hospital care Medical tests and diagnostic methods Veterans' medical care Women's health

VET Act

Introduced: January 12, 2017 Introduced by: Newhouse, Dan Republican · Washington See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Feb 3, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Jan 12, 2017

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Jan 12, 2017

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E58)

Jan 12, 2017

Introduced in House

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Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Veterans Emergency Treatment Act or the VET Act

This bill requires that a veteran enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care program who requests a medical examination or treatment at an emergency department of a VA medical facility be provided with a medical screening examination to determine whether an emergency medical condition exists and, if so, stabilizing medical treatment or a transfer to another VA or non-VA medical facility.

If a non-stabilized emergency medical condition exists, the VA hospital may not transfer the veteran unless: (1) the veteran, after being made aware of the risks, makes a written transfer request; or (2) a physician (or a qualified medical person if a physician is not present) certifies that the medical benefits of a transfer outweigh the risks.

The VA may not take adverse action against a VA employee because the employee refuses to authorize the transfer of an enrolled veteran with a non-stabilized emergency medical condition or because the employee reports a violation of a requirement of this bill.

A VA or non-VA medical facility may not delay provision of an appropriate medical screening examination or further medical examination and treatment required in order to inquire about the payment method or insurance status of an enrolled veteran.

What's happening now February 3, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill text 1 version