The RELIEVE Act makes it easier for veterans to get VA coverage when they need emergency medical care at non-VA hospitals. Normally, the VA only reimburses emergency treatment at outside hospitals if a veteran has received care through the VA within the previous 24 months. This bill removes that waiting period for newly enrolled veterans. If a veteran just signed up for VA health care, they can now get emergency treatment at any hospital within 60 days of enrollment and have the VA cover it, even if they've never received VA care before. This is particularly helpful for veterans who are new to the VA system and face a medical emergency before they've had a chance to establish a relationship with a VA facility. The change eliminates what the bill calls a "loophole" that could leave newly enrolled veterans without coverage during their first critical months in the system.

RELIEVE Act

Sinema, Kyrsten

Removing Extraneous Loopholes Insuring Every Veteran Emergency Act or the RELIEVE Act This bill expands eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimbursement of emergency treatment for veterans who are treated in a non-VA facility. Specifically, the bill waives the requirement that a veteran must have received VA care within the 24-month period preceding the furnishing of emergency treatment if the veteran receives such emergency treatment within the 60-day period following their enrollment in the VA health care system.