119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1972


To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the period during which the referral of a veteran, made by a health care provider of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to a non-Department provider, for care or services under the Community Care Program of such Department, remains valid.


IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 10, 2025

Mrs. Miller-Meeks introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs


A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the period during which the referral of a veteran, made by a health care provider of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to a non-Department provider, for care or services under the Community Care Program of such Department, remains valid.

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 “Standardizing Treatment and Referral Times Act of 2025” or the “START Act of 2025”.

SEC. 2. Establishment of period during which a referral under the Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs remains valid.

Section 1703(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

“(E) Ensuring that the period during which the referral of a covered veteran, made by a health care provider of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to a non-Department provider, for care or services under this section, is valid, begins on the day that the covered veteran has the first appointment with such non-Department provider.”.