This bill expands VA benefits for children born with spina bifida or certain other birth defects whose parents served in Vietnam, Korea, or Thailand. Specifically, it covers children of male Vietnam veterans who have spina bifida (if conceived after the parent entered service) and children of female Vietnam veterans with certain birth defects. These children would receive lifelong health care, job training, and financial support from the VA, regardless of their age or marital status.

The bill also creates new support systems to help these children. The VA must set up an advisory council focused on their health and benefits, and establish care coordination teams that reach out to covered children at least every six months to check on their wellbeing and help with any changes they need in their care. The VA will also identify specific health conditions that should trigger outreach to these children, and will try to contact them quickly if such conditions are identified.

Finally, the bill requires different parts of the VA—the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health Administration—to work together more closely through a formal agreement to better serve these children. Overall, this legislation aims to ensure that children affected by service-related birth defects receive comprehensive, coordinated support throughout their lives.

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to strengthen benefits for children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida, and for other purposes.

Braun, Mike

This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and care for certain children with spina bifida or other birth defects. The bill requires the VA to provide health care, job training, and monetary benefits for the duration of the child's life. The bills covers a child, regardless of age or marital status, who: (1) has spina bifida and is the natural child of a Vietnam veteran or a veteran of specified service in Korea or Thailand who was conceived after the date on which the veteran entered service in Vietnam, Korea, or Thailand; or (2) has certain birth defects and is the natural child of a woman Vietnam veteran. The bill requires the VA to establish an advisory council on health care and benefits for covered children. Additionally, the VA must establish care and coordination teams for covered children. At least every 180 days, the teams must conduct outreach to ensure the continued care of the children and assist with any necessary changes in care. The VA must report to Congress a list of conditions that will trigger outreach to covered children, and must attempt to contact such children as soon as practicable after the identification of a condition. The Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health Administration must enter into a memorandum of understanding to better assist covered children.