H.R. 3726: Fisher House Availability Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Fisher House Availability Act of 2025, aims to amend existing legislation related to the lodging facilities provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for certain veterans and their families. Here’s a summary of its key points:

Purpose of the Bill

The primary goal of the bill is to make temporary lodging facilities, known as Fisher Houses, available to specific beneficiaries of the TRICARE program, which provides health care to military personnel and their families.

Key Provisions

• Expansion of Access: The bill allows certain TRICARE beneficiaries to utilize VA temporary lodging facilities on a space-available basis. This includes:
• Beneficiaries who must travel significant distances to receive care or services at non-Department facilities.
• Family members of these beneficiaries, as well as others who accompany and provide support to them.
• Criteria Establishment: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is tasked with establishing criteria for access to these temporary lodging facilities, specifically for the newly included categories of beneficiaries.
• Definition of Key Terms: The bill clarifies terms used regarding lodging, defining a covered beneficiary and a Fisher house. A Fisher house is described as a temporary lodging facility located near a Department medical facility, intended for patients and those providing support.

Implementation

The legislation would require adjustments to the current regulations governing the use of Fisher Houses to accommodate the expanded definition of eligible beneficiaries and to ensure proper criteria for access are established.

Impact on Beneficiaries

Those who are eligible under this bill could benefit from increased access to supportive housing during medical care, which may alleviate some of the logistical and financial burdens associated with traveling long distances for treatment.

Follow-up Actions

This bill has been introduced and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for further consideration and potential amendments.

Relevant Companies

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