HR 467119th CongressIn Committee

Foreign Medical Program Modernization Act of 2025

Introduced: Jan 15, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Foreign Medical Program Modernization Act of 2025 would broaden and modernize the VA’s Foreign Medical Program (FMP). The key change removes the current requirement that a veteran must have a service-connected disability to receive hospital care or medical services outside of a state, effectively expanding access to foreign medical care beyond service-connected veterans. The bill also modernizes payment by directing the VA to enable electronic fund transfers (EFT) for reimbursements under the program and requires the VA to study and report on the feasibility of creating a network of non-VA providers (a contract with private or non-Department entities) to furnish such care. Overall, the bill aims to make foreign medical care more accessible and streamline payments, while exploring private-sector participation to deliver this care.

Key Points

1Elimination of the service-connected disability requirement: The bill strips the current condition that care outside the United States must be tied to a service-connected disability, broadening eligibility for foreign medical care.
2Electronic fund transfer (EFT) reimbursement: The VA must update its payment system to allow reimbursements through electronic fund transfers for foreign hospital care or medical services furnished under the Foreign Medical Program.
3Assessment of contracting with non-Department providers: The Secretary must assess the feasibility and implications of entering into contracts with appropriate non-VA entities to build a network that provides hospital care and medical services under the Foreign Medical Program, including effects on veterans’ administrative burden.
4Reorganization of 38 U.S.C. 1724 provisions: The bill reorganizes and renumbers the relevant subsections to implement the elimination of the disability requirement and the new administration changes.
5Policy objective and scope: The bill is framed as modernization—seeking to expand access to foreign care, streamline payments, and consider private-network delivery as part of the program’s future structure.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Veterans who previously could not access foreign medical care because they did not have a service-connected disability, including those seeking care outside the United States; veterans who need foreign care but are not rated as service-connected would become eligible under the program.Secondary group/area affected- VA administrative and financial operations: EFT payments would require system updates and ongoing administration; potential changes to how providers are reimbursed for foreign care.- Private and non-VA healthcare providers: If a private network is developed, non-VA hospitals and clinics might participate as providers for foreign care, potentially increasing external providers' role in veteran health care.Additional impacts- Administrative burden: The bill seeks to assess how private networks would impact veterans’ administrative responsibilities, potentially reducing or shifting some burdens, but creating new contracting and oversight tasks for VA.- Cost and budgeting: Expanding eligibility and building new networks could affect program costs and require future funding decisions and oversight for efficiency and quality of care abroad.- Quality and oversight considerations: With broader access and potential private-network providers, issues around consistency of care standards, credentialing, monitoring, and patient protections may surface, necessitating robust oversight and evaluation.

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