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H.R. 4398: Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act

This bill, called the Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act, aims to address delays in the certification of death for veterans who pass away from natural causes. The bill finds that many states and counties have reported significant delays, at times extending up to eight weeks, in obtaining death certificates for deceased veterans. Such delays can hinder timely burials and the access to survivor benefits that families rely on.

Key Provisions

The bill establishes the following key provisions:

Timely Certification Requirement: Physicians or nurse practitioners employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who are the primary care providers for veterans must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours of learning about it, provided that the veteran died from natural causes.
Alternative Certification: If the primary care provider (physician or nurse practitioner) is unable to meet the 48-hour requirement, a coroner or medical examiner in the jurisdiction where the death occurred is allowed to certify the death instead.
Annual Reporting: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to submit a report to Congress one year after the enactment of this bill and annually thereafter. This report will detail compliance with the certification requirements, including the percentage of timely certifications, instances when certification was not complied with, and the reasons for any delays.

Implications

The intent of this legislation is to improve the overall timeliness of death certifications for veterans, thereby facilitating faster burials and access to benefits for their families. By establishing specific timeframes and accountability measures, the bill seeks to ensure that families are less burdened by delays during a difficult time following a veteran's death.