Copay Fairness for Veterans Act of 2026

Tammy Duckworth

Democrat · IL · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Susan M. Collins (R-ME)Original· 2026-03-26

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

2026-03-26

Source: Congress.gov

This bill would likely change how much veterans pay out-of-pocket when they use Veterans Affairs health services, such as doctor visits or prescriptions. The goal appears to be making these costs more fair or affordable for veterans by adjusting copay amounts or rules. Veterans and the VA healthcare system would be the main groups affected by these changes.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4217 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4217 To amend title 38, United States Code, to eliminate copayments by the Department of Veterans Affairs for preventive health services and medicines relating to preventive health services, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 26, 2026 Ms. Duckworth (for herself and Ms. Collins) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to eliminate copayments by the Department of Veterans Affairs for preventive health services and medicines relating to preventive health services, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Copay Fairness for Veterans Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENT TO PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES FURNISHED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) Elimination of Copayments.-- (1) Medication.--Section 1722A(a)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (A) by striking ``to opioid antagonists'' and inserting ``to-- ``(A) opioid antagonists''; (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(B) medication, including over-the-counter medication, that is or is part of preventive health services.''. (2) Hospital care and medical services.--Section 1710 of such title is amended-- (A) in subsection (f)-- (i) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and (ii) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph (5): ``(5) A veteran shall not be liable to the United States under this subsection for any amounts for preventive health services the veteran receives during the course of hospital care or nursing home care provided to the veteran.''; and (B) in subsection (g)(3), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(C) Preventive health services.''. (3) Walk-in care.--Section 1725A(f)(1) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(D) An eligible veteran shall not be required to pay the United States a copayment for preventive health services furnished under this section.''. (4) Care for survivors and dependents.--Section 1781 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(f) No individual covered under subsection (a) shall be required to pay the United States a copayment for preventive health services furnished under this section.''. (b) Definitions.--Section 1701(9) of such title is amended-- (1) by amending subparagraph (G) to read as follows: ``(G) immunizations against infectious diseases, including each immunization-- ``(i) on the recommended adult immunization schedule at the time such immunization is indicated on that schedule; ``(ii) that has in effect a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with respect to the individual receiving the immunization; or ``(iii) that is recommended by the largest single-discipline professional organization for the relevant field or a major labor or professional organization that exclusively represents the relevant clinical professional, specialty, or disorder;''. (2) in subparagraph (K), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (3) by redesignating subparagraph (L) as subparagraph (N); and (4) by inserting after subparagraph (K) the following new subparagraphs: ``(L) evidence-based items or services that-- ``(i) have in effect a rating of `A' or `B' in the current recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force; or ``(ii) are recommended by the largest single-discipline professional organization for the relevant field or a major labor or professional organization that…

exclusively represents the relevant clinical professional, specialty, or disorder; ``(M) with respect to preventive care, screenings, and contraceptive services, such services shall include, at minimum-- ``(i) screening for anxiety, breast cancer, cervical cancer, human immunodeficiency virus infection, intimate partner and domestic violence, diabetes in and after pregnancy, and urinary incontinence; ``(ii) counseling for intimate partner and domestic violence, and sexually transmitted infections; ``(iii) breastfeeding services and supplies; ``(iv) contraception, including-- ``(I) any drug, device, or biological product intended for use in the prevention of pregnancy, whether specifically intended to prevent pregnancy or for other health needs, that is approved, cleared, authorized, or licensed under section 505, 510(k), 513(f)(2), 515, or 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355, 360(k), 360c(f)(2), 360e, 360bbb- 3) or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262); ``(II) any services related to providing the safe and effective use of such drug, device, or product; and ``(III) any related services approved, granted, or cleared by the Food and Drug Administration; ``(v) obesity prevention in midlife women; and ``(vi) well-woman preventative visits; and''. (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section shall be construed to-- (1) remove preventive health services, including medications, from such services and medications for which a veteran would be exempt from paying the United States a copayment; or (2) prevent coverage under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of preventive health services, screenings, and contraceptive services, if such preventive health services, screenings, and contraceptive services are provided in accordance with evidence-based medical standards of care, which may include those recommendations provided for in the Preventive Services Guidelines of the Health Resources and Services Administration. (d) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. <all>

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