S 585 — Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html February 13, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a pre-transition health care registration process for separating service members to facilitate their enrollment in the VA's patient enrollment system.

• 38 U.S.C. § 1705

  Management of health care: registration in pre-transition system and facilitation of enrollment

  This adds a new section to establish a pre-transition health care registration process.

• 38 U.S.C. § 1705B

  (a) Pre-Transition System.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days before the anticipated separation from the Armed Forces of a member of the Armed Forces, the Secretary shall automatically register such member in the pre-transition health care registration system. (2) Registration.--Registration of a member of the Armed Forces in the pre-transition health care registration system under paragraph (1) shall consist of the entry of relevant information of such member into such system so as to facilitate and permit, at a future date, a final determination with respect to the enrollment of such member in the patient enrollment system if such member elects to enroll in the patient enrollment system and is eligible to enroll in the patient enrollment system.

  This establishes an automatic registration process for service members in a pre-transition health care system prior to their separation.

• 38 U.S.C. § 1705B

  (b) Facilitation of Enrollment in Patient Enrollment System.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after separation of a covered individual from the Armed Forces, or as soon as feasibly possible following such separation, the Secretary shall engage with such individual-- (A) to assist and facilitate the completion of the process for enrollment of such individual in the patient enrollment system, to include the appropriate electronic or paper forms; and (B) to schedule an initial primary care or other health appointment for such individual under the laws administered by the Secretary if the individual is interested in such an appointment.

  This requires the Secretary to assist separating members with completing enrollment in the patient enrollment system shortly after their separation.

• 38 U.S.C. § 1705B

  (c) Outreach.-- (1) Pre-transition.-- (A) In general.--To the greatest extent feasible, the Secretary shall conduct timely outreach to members of the Armed Forces registered in the pre-transition health care registration system, in advance of their separation from the Armed Forces, to explain-- (i) what such registration means in practical terms; ...

  This mandates outreach efforts to educate service members on the new pre-transition registration system before they separate.

• 38 U.S.C. § 8111(f)(2)

  subparagraphs (E) and (F) → subparagraph (E): "(E) With respect to the registration of members of the Armed Forces in the pre-transition health care registration system under section 1705B of this title during the preceding fiscal year, the following: ..."

  This adds new reporting requirements to track the number of members registered in the new system.

Action History

1. May 21, 2025

   Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.

2. February 13, 2025

   Introduced in Senate

3. February 13, 2025

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

Sponsors

• Mike Rounds · Cosponsor
• Kevin Cramer · Cosponsor
• Tammy Duckworth · Cosponsor
• King, Angus S., Jr. · Primary

Subjects