HR 9752 — Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act of 2026

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html July 16, 2026

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

The bill adds requirements for the reimbursement rates and reporting related to home and community-based services under the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• 38 U.S.C. § 1720L(c)

  (3) On and after the date of the enactment of the Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act of 2026, the Secretary-- (A) in the case of any reimbursement rates for services furnished under the Homemaker and Home Health Aide program that were reduced after December 31, 2025, shall reinstate the rates in effect on such date; and (B) may not reduce the reimbursement rates for such services to an amount that is less than the rates in effect on such date, unless the Secretary notifies Congress of such reduction not later than 90 days before such reduction takes effect.

  This change ensures that reimbursement rates cannot be lowered without prior notice to Congress and reinstates previous rates that were reduced after a specific date.

• 38 U.S.C. § 1720L(c)

  (4) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act of 2026, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report-- (A) specifying whether the number of providers furnishing services under the Homemaker and Home Health Aide program is adequate to meet veteran demand for such services; (B) identifying any regions where provider participation in furnishing such services is inadequate to meet such demand; and (C) identifying how the Secretary plans to ensure adequate provider participation in furnishing such services to ensure the needs of veterans for such care are met.

  This change mandates regular reporting to Congress on provider availability and plans to address any identified shortages in service provision.

• 38 U.S.C. § 1720L

  (b) Report on Reimbursement Rates.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report that includes-- (1) the data sources used to establish reimbursement rates for services under subsections (c) and (e) of section 1720L of title 38, United States Code, including any use of data from the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.), the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), or the private market; (2) the weighting and adjustment factors applied to such data; (3) the role of any contractors or third-party administrators in determining such rates; (4) a description of any consultation with providers of home and community-based services in establishing such rates, including how such input was solicited, considered, and incorporated; and (5) a description of any formulas, models, or analytical methods used to establish such rates, including any variables, assumptions, weighting, and any additional data sources or factors considered by the Secretary.

  This change requires the Secretary to transparently report on the methodologies and data used to set reimbursement rates for services.

Action History

1. July 16, 2026

   Introduced in House

2. July 16, 2026

   Introduced in House

3. July 16, 2026

   Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Sponsors

• Teresa Leger Fernandez · Primary
• Gabe Vasquez · Cosponsor
• Melanie A. Stansbury · Cosponsor
• Henry Cuellar · Cosponsor
• Marc A. Veasey · Cosponsor
• Joaquin Castro · Cosponsor
• Vicente Gonzalez · Cosponsor
• Veronica Escobar · Cosponsor
• Sylvia R. Garcia · Cosponsor
• Al Green · Cosponsor

Subjects