To amend title 38, United States Code, to include eyeglass lens fittings in the category of medical services authorized to be furnished to veterans under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 5593 aims to amend Title 38 of the United States Code to include eyeglass lens fittings within the medical services authorized under the Veterans Community Care Program. This would allow veterans to receive eyeglass lens fittings from non-Department of Veterans Affairs providers. The bill also requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish policies and procedures for implementing this change and to report to Congress on its implementation.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill is to expand access to eyeglass lens fittings for veterans enrolled in the Veterans Community Care Program. This expansion aims to provide veterans with more convenient access to vision care services. The bill also mandates a report to Congress, ensuring oversight and accountability in the implementation process.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to eyeglass lens fittings for veterans.
- More convenient access to vision care services through community providers.
- Reduced wait times for veterans needing eyeglass lens fittings.
- Improved health and well-being for veterans with vision needs.
- Greater choice for veterans in selecting their vision care providers.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in costs to the Veterans Community Care Program.
- Possible administrative challenges in implementing the new policies and procedures.
- Risk of inconsistent quality of care among different community providers.
- Potential for delays in implementation due to regulatory hurdles.
- Possible need for additional oversight to prevent fraud or abuse.
Constitutional Alignment
This bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it seeks to improve the health and well-being of veterans. Specifically, it relates to Congress's power to provide for the common defense and general welfare as outlined in the Preamble. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).