S 89
117th Congress
Senate
Armed Forces and National Security
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Disability and paralysis
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health information and medical records
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation
Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID–19 Act of 2021
Introduced: January 28, 2021
See on congress.gov
Everywhere this bill has been
11 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 26, 2021
Held at the desk.
Jul 26, 2021
Received in the House.
Jul 26, 2021
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jul 21, 2021
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5023; text: CR S5023)
Jul 21, 2021
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5023; text: CR S5023)
Jun 24, 2021
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 83.
Jun 24, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
May 26, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Apr 28, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Jan 28, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 28, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Plain-English summary
Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID-19 Act of 2021
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to obtain a medical opinion that determines whether a service-connected disability was the principal or contributory cause of death for a veteran who died from COVID-19.
Specifically, the VA must obtain this determination before notifying a claimant for survivor benefits of the final decision regarding such benefits in any case where
- a dependency and indemnity compensation claim is filed in relation to a veteran with one or more service-connected disabilities who dies,
- the death certificate for the veteran identifies COVID-19 as the principal or contributory cause of death,
- the death certificate does not clearly identify any of the service-connected disabilities as the principal or contributory cause of death,
- the veteran's service-connected disability includes a condition more likely to cause severe illness from COVID-19,
- the claimant is not entitled to certain dependency and indemnity compensation benefits, and
- the evidence to support the claim does not result in a preliminary finding in favor of the claimant.
The VA must provide information to veterans, their dependents, and veterans service organizations about applying for dependency and indemnity compensation when a veteran dies from COVID-19. Such information must be available through the VA's website and via other outreach mechanisms.
What's happening now
Held at the desk.
Committees of jurisdiction
1