HR 5539
POW Priority Care Act of 2025
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Bill overview
The POW Priority Care Act of 2025 aims to prioritize healthcare for veterans who were former prisoners of war. It modifies existing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations to ensure these veterans receive the highest priority for hospital care and medical services. Specifically, the bill changes enrollment procedures and extends priority to extended care services for this group of veterans. This legislation focuses on recognizing and addressing the unique needs of veterans who have experienced the trauma of imprisonment.
Key provisions
- Assigns the highest priority status for hospital care to former prisoners of war.
- Modifies VA enrollment procedures to prioritize former prisoners of war.
- Extends priority to extended care services for former prisoners of war.
- Updates Section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, to reflect the priority status.
- Updates Section 1710B(c)(2)(D) of title 38, United States Code, to reflect the priority status.
Who is affected
- Veterans
- Former Prisoners of War
- Department of Veterans Affairs
Notable changes
- Creates a specific priority status for former prisoners of war within the VA healthcare system.
- Modifies existing enrollment procedures to ensure prioritization of this group.
Sponsors
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Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 5539
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to assign the highest priority status for hospital care and medical services provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans who are former prisoners of war.
This Act may be cited as the POW Priority Care Act of 2025
.
in paragraph (1)—
by striking and veterans
and inserting , veterans
; and
by striking the period at the end and inserting , and veterans who are former prisoners of war.
; and
in paragraph (3), by striking who are former prisoners of war or
.
a veteran who is a former prisoner of war orbefore
a veteran who.
The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to veterans who are former prisoners of war before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act.