Vets CLEAR Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 8043Veterans' medical careGovernment studies and investigations

Vets CLEAR Act

INTRO MAR 24· LAST ACTION APR 15

READING

3MIN

COSPONSORS

2BIPARTISAN

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

Introduced only

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it could mean more money directly available for veterans' healthcare. By giving the VA more ways to collect payments for care it provides (from insurance companies or other responsible parties), and by allowing more flexibility in how certain funds are channeled, the Medical Care Collections Fund could grow. This fund is crucial for paying for veterans' medical services, equipment, and staffing.

If this bill becomes law, it could lead to better-resourced VA medical facilities and services, potentially reducing wait times or expanding access to care. If it doesn't pass, the VA's ability to recover costs and allocate certain funds might remain less efficient, potentially impacting the availability or quality of care for veterans due to funding limitations. The reporting requirements also mean more transparency on how taxpayer and recovered funds are being used for veterans.

KEY PROVISIONS

4AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Expands the types of legal methods the VA can use to recover costs for medical care provided to veterans, including tools for collecting government debts and fighting false claims.

This provision strengthens the VA's ability to get reimbursed for veteran care from third parties.

PROVISION 02

Allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, at their discretion, to deposit certain funds from specific VA medical care programs directly into the Medical Care Collections Fund.

This gives the VA more flexibility to manage and direct funds specifically to veteran healthcare services.

PROVISION 03

Sets an expiration date of September 30, 2028, for the VA Secretary's new authority to deposit funds directly into the Medical Care Collections Fund.

This ensures the new discretionary power is temporary and allows for future review by Congress.

PROVISION 04

Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to submit regular reports to Congress detailing how much money is collected for the Medical Care Collections Fund, its sources, and how the VA spends it.

This provision adds transparency and oversight to the VA's financial management of veteran healthcare funds.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 2

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%

DEM 1 REP 1 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

7 EVENTS

APR 15

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

COMMITTEE

APR 15

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

COMMITTEE

MAR 25

Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

COMMITTEE

MAR 24

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 8043

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedMar 24, 2026

Last actionApr 15, 2026

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 24, 2026

House BillHR 8043Veterans' medical careGovernment studies and investigations

Vets CLEAR Act

INTRODUCED MAR 24, 2026· LAST ACTION APR 15, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

3 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Expands the types of legal methods the VA can use to recover costs for medical care provided to veterans, including tools for collecting government debts and fighting false claims.

This provision strengthens the VA's ability to get reimbursed for veteran care from third parties.

high

Allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, at their discretion, to deposit certain funds from specific VA medical care programs directly into the Medical Care Collections Fund.

This gives the VA more flexibility to manage and direct funds specifically to veteran healthcare services.

med

Sets an expiration date of September 30, 2028, for the VA Secretary's new authority to deposit funds directly into the Medical Care Collections Fund.

This ensures the new discretionary power is temporary and allows for future review by Congress.

high

Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to submit regular reports to Congress detailing how much money is collected for the Medical Care Collections Fund, its sources, and how the VA spends it.

This provision adds transparency and oversight to the VA's financial management of veteran healthcare funds.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

September 30, 2028

Discretionary authority for the Secretary to deposit funds expires.

Not later than 180 days after enactment

First report from the Comptroller General on fund deposits and expenditures.

Not less frequently than once every 180 days thereafter during the period the authority under subsection (c) is effective

Subsequent reports from the Comptroller General.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Medical Care Collections Fund: A special fund managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that collects money from various sources, such as insurance companies, to help pay for medical care provided to veterans.
Title 38, United States Code: The part of U.S. law that specifically deals with veterans' benefits and services, including the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Title 31, United States Code: The part of U.S. law that covers money and finance, including rules for collecting government debts and addressing false claims made against the government.
Comptroller General: The head of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent agency that audits government programs and spending for Congress.
Subsection: A smaller, distinct part of a larger section within a law or regulation.
Discretion of the Secretary: Means the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs has the freedom to make a decision or take action as they see fit, within the bounds of the law.

ACTION TIMELINE

7 EVENTS

APR 15

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

COMMITTEE

APR 15

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

COMMITTEE

MAR 25

Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

COMMITTEE

MAR 24

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

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Veterans' Affairs CommitteeReferred

Mar 24, 2026

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Vets CLEAR Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Vets CLEAR Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

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