H.R.2068 - Veterans Patient Advocacy Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2068, the Veterans Patient Advocacy Act, aims to improve access to patient advocates for veterans, particularly those in rural areas, within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. The bill amends Title 38 of the United States Code, mandating the VA to ensure rural veterans can access patient advocate services, including assigning advocates to rural community-based outpatient clinics. It also requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement these changes within two years and directs the Comptroller General to report on the implementation's effectiveness to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is improved access to healthcare advocacy for veterans in rural areas. This could lead to better navigation of the VA healthcare system, increased patient satisfaction, and potentially improved health outcomes. The GAO report will provide oversight and accountability for the implementation process.
Potential Benefits
- Improved access to patient advocates for rural veterans.
- Enhanced navigation of the VA healthcare system.
- Increased patient satisfaction among veterans.
- Potential for improved health outcomes due to better advocacy.
- Increased accountability through GAO reporting.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential strain on VA resources to implement the changes.
- Possible delays in implementation due to bureaucratic processes.
- Risk that the GAO report identifies shortcomings in the implementation.
- The definition of 'rural' is not specified, potentially leading to inconsistent application.
- The bill does not address the quality of patient advocates, only their accessibility.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
This bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to improve healthcare access for veterans. Specifically, it falls under Congress's power to provide for the common defense and general welfare, as veterans' healthcare is a component of supporting those who have served in the military. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.
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).