S. 1853

119 S1853 IS: Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2025
 U.S. Senate
 2025-05-21
 text/xml
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  II
  119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
  S. 1853
  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
  May 21, 2025
  Ms. Hirono  (for herself and  Mr. Schatz ) introduced the following bill; which was
  read twice and referred to the  Committee on
  Veterans’ Affairs
  A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of direct
  housing loans and medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs for Native
  Hawaiians.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2025  .
2.
Modification to program for direct housing loans made to Native American
  veterans by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Section 3765(3)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking  as that term  and all that follows through  42 Stat. 108)  and inserting  as defined in section 801 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 ( 25 U.S.C. 4221 ) .
3.
Improvement of provision of medical care from Department of Veterans Affairs for
  Native Hawaiians
(a)
Reimbursement of costs of certain care provided through Native Hawaiian
  health care system
(1)
In general
Subchapter I of  chapter 17  of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after  section 1703G  the following new section:
1703H.
Reimbursement of costs of certain care provided through Native
  Hawaiian health care system
(a)
In general
The Secretary shall reimburse a Native Hawaiian health care system for the costs of care or services provided through such system to veterans eligible for such care or services under the laws administered by the Secretary, regardless of whether such care or services are provided directly through such system, through purchased or referred care, or through a contract for travel.
(b)
Native Hawaiian health care system defined
The term  Native Hawaiian health care system  has the meaning given that term in section 12 of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11711 ).
  .
(2)
Clerical amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1703G the following new item:
1703H. Reimbursement of costs of certain care provided through
  Native Hawaiian health care system.
  .
(b)
Exemption from cost sharing
Section 1730A(b) of such title is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1), by striking  ; or  and inserting a semicolon;
(2)
in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting  ; or ; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(3)
is a Native Hawaiian (as defined in section 12 of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11711 )).
  .