H.R. 5671 · 117th Congress · House

To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish seasonal influenza vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes.

In Congress· Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced
Oct 21, 21
Passed House
Nov 15, 21
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a seasonal influenza vaccine through April 29, 2022, to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Under the bill, covered individuals are

  • veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system;
  • specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad;
  • beneficiaries who are eligible for care due to a specified disability or death of a veteran;
  • family caregivers of veterans who are participating in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;
  • caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of General Caregiver Support Services;
  • caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program; and
  • the spouses of veterans.

The VA must prioritize the vaccination of (1) veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) veterans who fail to enroll but receive hospital care and medical services for specified disabilities in their first 12 months of separation from service, and (3) caregivers accompanying such prioritized veterans.

Under the bill, the VA is authorized to determine the timing for offering a vaccine to the spouse of a veteran.

Previous Versions

00Oct 21, 2021

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a seasonal influenza vaccine to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Under the bill, covered individuals are

  • veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system;
  • specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad;
  • beneficiaries who are eligible for care due to a specified disability or death of a veteran;
  • family caregivers of veterans who are participating in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;
  • caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of General Caregiver Support Services;
  • caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program; and
  • the spouses of veterans.

The VA must prioritize the vaccination of (1) veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) veterans who fail to enroll but receive hospital care and medical services for specified disabilities in their first 12 months of separation from service, and (3) caregivers accompanying such prioritized veterans.

Under the bill, the VA is authorized to determine the timing for offering a vaccine to the spouse of a veteran.

Action Timeline

14
  1. NOV 16, 2021IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

  2. NOV 15, 2021Floor

    Mr

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

  3. NOV 15, 2021Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H6257)

  4. NOV 15, 2021Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5671.

  5. NOV 15, 2021Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6257)

  6. NOV 15, 2021Floor

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6257)

  7. NOV 15, 2021Floor

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

  8. NOV 04, 2021Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  9. NOV 04, 2021Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  10. NOV 04, 2021Committee

    Subcommittee on Health Discharged.

  11. NOV 02, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  12. OCT 21, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  13. OCT 21, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  14. OCT 21, 2021IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Committees

5

Veterans' Affairs Committee

ssva00

Referred: Nov 16, 2021

Active

Health Subcommittee

hsvr03

Referred: Nov 5, 2021

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

hsvr00

Referred: Nov 4, 2021

Active

Health Subcommittee

hsvr03

Referred: Nov 2, 2021

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

hsvr00

Referred: Oct 21, 2021

Active