Lloyd Smucker (R-PA)
VA Billing Accountability Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The VA Billing Accountability Act allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to waive copayments for hospital care, nursing home care, medical services, and medications if a Department error delayed the billing notification. For care at Department facilities, notification must be sent within 180 days. For care at non-Department facilities, notification must be sent within 18 months. If these deadlines are missed, the VA cannot collect payment unless they provide the veteran with information on waivers and payment plans. The Act also requires the Secretary to review and improve billing controls and procedures.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +10
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Directly benefits veterans by mitigating financial losses from VA billing errors.
- Scored +8
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
Directly improves the administration and affordability of veterans' healthcare benefits.
- Scored +7
Does this help veterans get medical care?
Protects veterans from unexpected billing due to VA errors and improves billing transparency.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Waivers for Billing Errors: Veterans may have their copayments for hospital care, nursing home care, medical services, and medications waived if a Department error caused the notification to be delayed by more than 180 days. (Section 2(a) and 2(b))
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Payment Protections: If the VA misses the notification deadlines for care at Department or non-Department facilities, they cannot collect payment unless they first offer the veteran a way to apply for a waiver or set up a payment plan. (Section 2(c)(a)(2) and 2(c)(b)(2))
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Non-Department Facility Flexibility: The Secretary can waive payments for care at non-Department facilities if an error by the Department, an employee, or the facility caused the notification to be sent after 18 months. (Section 2(c)(b)(3))
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System Improvements: The Secretary is required to review and improve internal billing controls and notification procedures within 180 days of the Act's enactment. (Section 2(d))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limited Timeframe: The authority for the Secretary to waive copayments for hospital care, nursing home care, medical services, and medications is only available for a two-year period following the enactment of the Act. (Section 2(a) and 2(b))
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Temporary Procedures: The new billing procedures, including the notification deadlines and waiver requirements, will stop being effective two years after the Act is enacted. (Section 2(c)(1)(d))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Directly benefits veterans by mitigating financial losses from VA billing errors. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Provides critical financial relief via waivers for those who cannot afford delayed billing surprises. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees who are veterans benefit from the reduction of unexpected healthcare costs. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Many seniors are veterans and would benefit from copayment waivers and better billing practices. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Reduces risk of unfair financial obligations caused by government administrative errors. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Many disabled veterans would benefit from nursing home and medical service copayment waivers.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — Protects veterans from unexpected billing due to VA errors and improves billing transparency. Does this lower what a hospital stay costs? — Provides authority to waive hospital and nursing home copayments due to billing delays. Does this lower the price of prescription medicines? — Allows waivers for medication copayments in cases of VA billing errors. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Reduces financial barriers for veterans when VA errors occur in billing.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires the VA to improve internal billing controls and notification procedures. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Ensures veterans are properly notified of debts and given opportunities for waivers or payment plans.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Directly improves the administration and affordability of veterans' healthcare benefits.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Potentially reduces financial strain on low-income veterans through copayment waivers.
- 12/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/17/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/13/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/7/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
John CarterRepublican · Texas
Juan CiscomaniRepublican · Arizona
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Brad FinstadRepublican · Minnesota
Dan NewhouseRepublican · Washington
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia