H.R. 6376: Supporting Military Families Exposed to Toxic Substances Act

This bill is called the Supporting Military Families Exposed to Toxic Substances Act. It aims to amend existing laws related to veterans' health care, specifically providing coverage for certain family members and individuals who have been exposed to toxic substances due to their connection with military service.

Key Provisions

The legislation outlines several important points:

• Eligibility for Health Care: The bill makes family members and other individuals eligible for hospital care and medical services if they qualify under specific conditions. This includes individuals who resided at or worked at military locations that have been recognized for their presumptive connection to certain illnesses.
• Definition of Individuals: The individuals eligible for care are those who either:
  • Resided at or worked at a location with a presumption of service-connection for illnesses.
  • Were in utero while their mothers worked at such a location.
• Requirements: To qualify, individuals must also demonstrate exposure to the same conditions that justify veterans' presumptive claims for illnesses.
• Limitations on Benefits: The provision of health care is subject to budgetary limits set forth in appropriations acts. Additionally, care will not be covered if the illness is deemed to arise from causes unrelated to time spent at the identified location.
• Exhaustion of Other Claims: Before the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides health care services, the individual or their provider must attempt to recover costs from third parties involved in their care.

Definitions

The bill specifically defines a “covered illness or condition” as any illness for which the Secretary has set a presumption of service-connection under applicable laws, regardless of whether there is sufficient medical evidence linking the illness to the exposure.

Reporting Requirements

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is tasked with submitting reports to Congress on the implementation of these health care provisions. These reports are to cover the following aspects:

• The total number of individuals receiving care under this bill.
• Details on the illnesses and conditions treated and the corresponding locations associated with those conditions.
• The number of applicants who were denied care, along with reasons for denials.
• The number of applicants still awaiting a decision on their eligibility for care.

Clerical Amendment

The bill also includes a clerical amendment that updates the relevant section of U.S. law to reflect the new provisions added by this act.

Summary

Overall, the Supporting Military Families Exposed to Toxic Substances Act aims to extend health care coverage to a broader range of individuals impacted by toxic exposures related to military operations, ensuring more families can access the care they need.

Relevant Companies

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