H.R.3088 - Veterans Hearing Health Expansion Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3088, the Veterans Hearing Health Expansion Act, aims to amend Title 38 of the United States Code to include licensed hearing aid specialists under the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 30, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The primary goal is to expand access to hearing healthcare services for veterans by allowing them to seek care from licensed hearing aid specialists within their communities.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is to increase the availability of hearing healthcare services for veterans. It broadens the network of providers accessible through the Veterans Community Care Program. This could lead to shorter wait times and more convenient access to care for veterans with hearing impairments.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to hearing healthcare for veterans.
- Shorter wait times for appointments.
- More convenient access to care within their communities.
- Potential for improved hearing health outcomes for veterans.
- Supports local hearing aid specialists and their businesses.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in costs to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Possible administrative challenges in managing a larger network of providers.
- Risk of inconsistent quality of care among different providers.
- May not address the underlying causes of hearing loss in veterans.
- Could potentially lead to over-utilization of services.
Constitutional Alignment
This bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to improve the health and well-being of veterans. Specifically, the Constitution grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. Providing healthcare services to veterans falls under this purview. There are no apparent conflicts with specific constitutional provisions.
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).