H.R. 149: Lead by Example Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Lead by Example Act of 2025, proposes a change in the healthcare coverage available to Members of Congress and their staff. Specifically, it stipulates that starting January 3, 2027, Members of Congress and Congressional staff can only receive health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This change means that they would no longer have access to healthcare plans under the Federal Health Benefits Program or through health care exchanges that are commonly used by federal employees.

Key Provisions

• Exclusivity of VA Healthcare: The bill mandates that the Federal Government can only provide health care to Members of Congress and their staff via the VA health care system. This includes both VA facilities and non-VA facilities that are authorized to provide care to veterans.
• Implementation Plan: The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to collaboratively develop a plan for the transition to this new healthcare system. This plan must be submitted to Congress by September 15, 2025, and it may include recommendations for any legislative changes that may be necessary to implement the new healthcare provisions.

Definitions

The bill includes specific definitions important for its implementation:

• Congressional Staff: This refers to employees of the U.S. Congress, as defined in title 5 of the U.S. Code.
• Members of Congress: This term encompasses Senators, Representatives, Delegates to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
• Non-Department Facility: This refers to facilities other than VA-operated facilities that are recognized by law to provide care to veterans.

Timeline

The effective date for this shift to VA healthcare is set for January 3, 2027, with the planning phase starting prior to that date. The bill is positioned to ensure that Members of Congress and their staff will have to navigate the change and adapt to receiving care through the VA system within a structured timeline.

Rationale

While the text of the bill does not explicitly state a rationale, the title "Lead by Example Act" suggests an intent to align the healthcare access of Congressional members with that of veterans, possibly as an effort to emphasize accountability and parity in accessing government benefits.

Relevant Companies

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