Skip to content
PoliticalRepoPoliticalRepo

United States · Law · HR

H.R. 3118 (104th)

Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

20 March 1996

Last action

9 October 1996 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 104-262.

Sponsors

Rep. Stump, Bob [R-AZ-3], Rep. Montgomery, G. V. (Sonny) [D-MS-3], Sen. Hutchinson, Tim [R-AR], Rep. Edwards, Chet [D-TX-17], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Bilirakis, Michael [R-FL-9], Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5], Rep. Green, Gene [D-TX-29], Rep. Cramer, Robert E. (Bud), Jr. [D-AL-5], Rep. Frost, Martin [D-TX-24], Rep. Moakley, John Joseph [D-MA-9], Rep. Solomon, Gerald B. H. [R-NY-22], Rep. Mascara, Frank [D-PA-20], Rep. Hall, Ralph M. [R-TX-4], Rep. Tejeda, Frank [D-TX-28], Del. Faleomavaega, Eni F. H. [D-AS-At Large], Rep. Manton, Thomas J. [D-NY-7], Rep. Linder, John [R-GA-7], Rep. Weller, Jerry [R-IL-11], Rep. McCrery, Jim [R-LA-4], Rep. Gilman, Benjamin A. [R-NY-20], Rep. Flake, Floyd H. [D-NY-6], Rep. Doyle, Michael F. [D-PA-14], Rep. Watts, J. C., Jr. [R-OK-4], Rep. Emerson, Bill [R-MO-8], Rep. Everett, Terry [R-AL-2], Rep. Buyer, Steve [R-IN-4], Rep. Bachus, Spencer [R-AL-6], Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6], Rep. Fox, Jon D. [R-PA-13], Rep. Flanagan, Michael Patrick [R-IL-5], Rep. Barr, Bob [R-GA-7], Rep. Cooley, Wes [R-OR-2], Rep. Evans, Lane [D-IL-17], Rep. Kennedy, Joseph P., II [D-MA-8], Rep. Clement, Bob [D-TN-5], Rep. Filner, Bob [D-CA-51], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Baldacci, John Elias [D-ME-2], Rep. Camp, Dave [R-MI-4], Rep. Bryant, Ed [R-TN-7], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Fazio, Vic [D-CA-3], Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3], Rep. Scarborough, Joe [R-FL-1], Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17], Rep. Saxton, Jim [R-NJ-3], Rep. Quinn, Jack [R-NY-27]

Subjects

Healthcare, Defence, Education

Source updated

7 April 2025

Healthcare · Defence · Education

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide hospital care and medical services to, among others, any veteran: (1) with a compensable service-connected disability (currently, for any service-connected disability, regardless of compensation); or (2) who is unable to defray the expenses of necessary medical care and services. Authorizes the Secretary, with respect to veterans not otherwise eligible for such care and services, to furnish hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care which the Secretary determines is needed. (Sec. 3) Repeals the requirement that veterans be eligible to receive hospital care through the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to receive surgical, dental, optometric, and podiatric services, but requires such eligibility before receiving certain prosthetic appliances as well as special clothing necessitated by the wearing of such appliances. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary, in managing the provision of hospital care and medical services, to establish and operate a system of annual patient enrollment, with specified priorities relating to the degree of disability of a veteran and related factors. Requires the Secretary to design, establish, and manage Department health care programs so as to promote cost-effective delivery of health care services in the most clinically appropriate setting. Authorizes the Secretary to contract out when Department medical facilities are not capable of economically furnishing such care and services. Requires the Department to maintain its capacity to provide for the specialized treatment and rehabilitative needs of disabled veterans, with at least the same capacity to provide such services as in existence on the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 5) Repeals a provision of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 which terminates on October 1, 1996, the authority of the Secretary to enter into agreements with the Secretary of Defense for the sharing of medical facilities and resources. Empowers the United States to collect from primary health providers of covered beneficiaries the charges for care or services covered under the primary health-plan contract which are provided through the Department. (Sec. 6) Repeals a statement of congressional purpose with respect to entering into health care resources sharing agreements with medical schools, health-care facilities, and medical research centers. Makes eligible as additional parties to such agreements health-care plans and providers, insurers, and other entities or individuals. Repeals a requirement of reciprocal reimbursement under such agreements. Allows the provision of services under such agreements to non-veterans only if the Secretary determines that such an arrangement will not result in the denial of or delay in the provision of care to any veteran in that facility and either: (1) is necessary to maintain an acceptable level and quality of service to veterans at that facility; or (2) will result in the improvement of services to eligible veterans there. (Sec. 7) Exempts from inclusion under full-time equivalent position limitations in the Department the number of positions held by persons providing health-care resources under resource sharing agreements.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 20 March 1996

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 20 March 1996

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 20 March 1996

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 17 April 1996

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Hospitals and Health Care.

    Source: Committee

  5. 8 May 1996

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  6. 8 May 1996

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  7. 8 May 1996

    Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  8. 8 May 1996

    Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  9. 18 July 1996

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 358.

    Source: Calendars

  10. 18 July 1996

    Reported

    Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 104-690.

    Source: Committee

  11. 18 July 1996

    Reported

    Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 104-690.

    Source: Committee

  12. 30 July 1996

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  13. 30 July 1996

    Vote

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 416 - 0 (Roll No. 371).

    Source: Floor

  14. 30 July 1996

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 416 - 0 (Roll No. 371).

    Source: Floor

  15. 30 July 1996

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules.

    Source: Floor

  16. 30 July 1996

    Vote

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

    Source: Floor

  17. 30 July 1996

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

    Source: Floor

  18. 30 July 1996

    Floor

    Mr. Stump moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

    Source: Floor

  19. 31 July 1996

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans.

    Source: IntroReferral

  20. 28 September 1996

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  21. 28 September 1996

    Passed

    On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H12111-12121)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  22. 28 September 1996

    Passed

    Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to without objection.(consideration: CR H12111-12121)

    Source: NotUsed

  23. 28 September 1996

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Stump asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendments.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  24. 28 September 1996

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate.

    Source: Floor

  25. 28 September 1996

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

  26. 28 September 1996

    Discharge

    Senate Committee on Veterans discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11642-11658)

    Source: Discharge

  27. 28 September 1996

    Committee

    Senate Committee on Veterans discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S11642-11658)

    Source: Committee

  28. 3 October 1996

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  29. 3 October 1996

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  30. 9 October 1996

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 104-262.

    Source: President

  31. 9 October 1996

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  32. 9 October 1996

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

17 official files

Public Law (text)

View fileDownload file

This file cannot be previewed here. Use View or Download.

Leesvertaling

Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 10 October 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 10 October 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Engrossed Amendment Senate (text)

    Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN · 28 September 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Engrossed Amendment Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN · 28 September 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN · 28 September 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN · 28 September 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 28 September 1996

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 31 July 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 31 July 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 30 July 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 30 July 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 30 July 1996

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 18 July 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 18 July 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 20 March 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 20 March 1996

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 20 March 1996

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

Sponsors

Showing 48 of 68 sponsors and actors.

Related records

Related across the Repo ecosystem

Direct relationships are identifier-backed. Topic context means shared TopicMembership — not a citation and not causation.

Direct relationships

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.