This bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out efforts to inform veterans of their rights when they receive health care, benefits, or services administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill lists ten specific rights, including access to VA or VA-authorized providers; being treated with respect and dignity; receiving clear information and providing informed consent for treatment; receiving understandable information about benefits; the right to apply for benefits and receive clear eligibility explanations; seeking care or raising concerns without fear of retaliation; protection of personal and medical information; the right to file complaints and receive timely investigations and resolutions; clear notifications about the status of claims and appeals; and the right to appeal adverse decisions and receive fair hearings.
The bill directs the Secretary to integrate these rights into VA policies, employee training, patient-facing materials, and facility postings. It requires annual employee training, a prominent display of the rights at facilities and on the VA website, adding a training module to the Transition Assistance Program, making the rights accessible through the VA mobile app and the eBenefits portal within 180 days of enactment, designating a patient advocate or ombudsman at each medical facility to perform annual internal audits, and including a summary of the rights in written or electronic acknowledgments of claims or applications. The bill states these provisions do not create new causes of action for damages or change eligibility rules for care or benefits.
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The bill’s findings and provisions emphasize that supporters want veterans to have timely access to care and benefits, clear information, respect and dignity, transparency, and consistent nationwide administration of benefits and services. Proponents aim to codify these rights into VA materials, training, and digital tools to improve accountability and awareness.
No publicly available information.