Original source found at: https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases/underwood-duckworth-announce-bipartisan-legislation-make-health-care-more-0
Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act would eliminate copays for preventive health services including contraception, immunizations, and cancer screenings
Legislation would ensure veterans who choose to breastfeed would be offered comprehensive lactation support, counseling, and breastfeeding equipment without cost sharing like most civilians
WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced the House introduction of bipartisan legislation to make healthcare more affordable for veterans. Under current law, veterans receiving care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are required to make copayments for preventive prescription medications and services—services covered without cost sharing by nearly all private insurance companies due to requirements under the Affordable Care Act. The Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act (H.R. 3932) would remove copay requirements for preventive services and medications recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Health Resources & Services Administration. The bill would ensure that care such as immunizations, screenings for depression, intimate partner violence, and breast cancer; breastfeeding support and supplies, contraceptives, and well-woman visits, and certain drugs that prevent more advanced, costly medical conditions would be available to veterans without cost sharing like copays and deductibles. In May, Duckworth re-introduced the Veterans Preventative Health Coverage Fairness Act with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). In the House, the legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY).
“It is unconscionable that veterans who have served our country bear financial burdens that military retirees, federal employees, and most civilians do not have to worry about. The Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act makes preventive health services including cancer screenings, immunizations, and counseling more affordable for veterans by eliminating copays, just like private insurance. These small changes will have a profound impact and could save veterans hundreds of dollars each year in healthcare costs,” said Underwood. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with Senator Duckworth and my Republican colleagues on this important legislation.”
“All Americans deserve access to the best healthcare possible—including and especially those who’ve sacrificed to defend our nation,” said Duckworth. “I’m proud to work with Congresswoman Underwood to pass my bipartisan Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act to ensure Veterans don’t have to pay more for essential health services than other insured Americans.”
The Veterans Preventative Health Coverage Fairness Act is endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), The American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
