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HR 3888 118th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Asia Birth defects Conflicts and wars Military personnel and dependents Musculoskeletal and skin diseases Veterans' pensions and compensation Vietnam

To amend title 38, United States Code, to strengthen benefits for children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 7, 2023 Introduced by: Baird, James R. Republican · Indiana See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 10, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jun 7, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jun 7, 2023
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and care for certain children with spina bifida or other birth defects. The bill requires the VA to provide health care, job training, and monetary benefits for the duration of the child's life. The bills covers a child, regardless of age or marital status, who: (1) has spina bifida and is the natural child of a Vietnam veteran or a veteran of specified service in Korea or Thailand who was conceived after the date on which the veteran entered service in Vietnam, Korea, or Thailand; or (2) has certain birth defects and is the natural child of a woman Vietnam veteran.

The bill requires the VA to establish an advisory council on health care and benefits for covered children. Additionally, the VA must establish care and coordination teams for covered children. At least every 180 days, the teams must conduct outreach to ensure the continued care of the children and assist with any necessary changes in care.

The VA must report to Congress a list of conditions that will trigger outreach to covered children, and must attempt to contact such children as soon as practicable after the identification of a condition.

The Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health Administration must enter into a memorandum of understanding to better assist covered children.

What's happening now July 10, 2023

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2