The Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act of 2026 aims to safeguard funding for home health services provided to veterans living in rural areas. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to restore any reimbursement rates for homemaker and home health aide services that were lowered after December 31, 2025, and prevents future rate cuts without notifying Congress at least 90 days in advance. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports to Congress detailing the availability of service providers in different regions and the methods used to calculate payment rates. A one-time report must also be submitted within 90 days of the law's enactment to explain how these rates were determined and whether input was gathered from service providers.
The Veteran Acquired Brain Injury Caregiving Act establishes a five-year pilot program allowing veterans with acquired brain injuries to use existing Veteran-Directed Care funds to hire care from specific nonprofit organizations. The Department of Veterans Affairs must select at least five medical centers to administer this program and will report annually on the number of participating veterans and nonprofits, along with an evaluation of clinical outcomes and satisfaction. This legislation directly affects veterans who have been clinically assessed for acquired brain injuries and are already eligible for the Veteran-Directed Care program, expanding their options for care providers.
This bill establishes the Veteran Scam Victims Foundation, a private nonprofit corporation designed to help prevent veterans and their families from falling victim to scams. The foundation will operate independently of the federal government but will work in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs to accept private donations and run educational programs or support services for affected individuals. A governing board will be formed with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as chairman and six additional members appointed by various federal agency heads to oversee the organization's activities. The legislation explicitly states that the foundation cannot provide direct monetary compensation for financial losses and will not be liable for any debts or actions taken by the foundation.
The Affordable Homes for Veterans Act of 2026 requires lenders to process applications for assuming existing VA home loans within 45 calendar days. This bill also mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs update its guidance to ensure lenders cannot discourage applicants by suggesting longer wait times. Additionally, the law directs the Office of Inspector General to conduct a comprehensive assessment of current processing speeds and denial rates, with a report due to Congress within 18 months. These measures aim to make the process of taking over a veteran's home loan faster and more transparent for potential buyers.
This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 1181) to prohibit payment card networks and covered entities from requiring the use of or assigning merchant category codes that distinguish a firearms retailer from general-merchandise retailer or sporting-goods retailer, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 9022) making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8595) making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 9237) to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and other Federal laws, to improve benefits for veterans and the administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The VHA OPEN Policies Act of 2026 requires the Veterans Health Administration to publish all its national policies, such as directives and handbooks, on a public website within 90 days of enactment. This rule also mandates that any new or revised policies be added to the site within 30 days of their creation. The legislation directly affects the VA's health administration by making internal guidance accessible to the public and ensuring consistent, up-to-date information is available online.
This bill expands the Department of Veterans Affairs' oversight to include third-party contractors that help educational institutions recruit and enroll students. It requires the VA to monitor these contractors' advertising, marketing, and enrollment practices at all locations, including those in foreign countries. Additionally, the law mandates annual reports from the VA to Congress detailing assessments of these contractor activities through 2028. The legislation also temporarily extends the authority of state agencies to approve educational programs until 2028, after which the VA Secretary will assume that role directly.
This bill removes the annual limit on the number of pay waivers the Secretary of Veterans Affairs can issue to critical health care workers. Currently, there is a cap on how many times these specific employees can receive temporary pay increases above the standard rate, which this legislation aims to eliminate. By deleting the relevant restriction in the U.S. Code, the measure allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to grant these salary adjustments without a numerical ceiling. The change directly affects VA medical staff and administrators who manage compensation for essential healthcare roles.
The COMPASS Act expands protections for military families under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to ensure uninterrupted schooling during permanent relocations. It allows a dependent child of a servicemember to be considered compliant with a new state's homeschooling laws if they were already following the rules of their previous state or their legal residence. This change aims to reduce administrative burdens and prevent conflicting state requirements from penalizing military families who move frequently. By aligning these rules with existing federal protections, the bill seeks to support family stability and the readiness of servicemembers during transitions.
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a data-sharing agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services to prevent duplicate or incorrect medical billing for veterans. Under this arrangement, the two agencies would exchange information about veterans who are enrolled in both the VA system and Medicare, Medicaid, or Medicare Advantage plans to identify and stop improper payments. The agreement would last for two years, and the VA must report to Congress on how effective the data sharing is at reducing billing errors.
