Washington, DC - Congressman John Dingell (D-MI15) applauded the House passage today of H.R. 5014, legislation to clarify that certain health care programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) meet the “minimum essential coverage” requirement under the new health insurance reform law.

Specifically, the legislation clarifies that the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), Spina Bifida Health Care Program, and the Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Program meet the "minimum essential coverage" requirement under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  The Senate passed companion legislation, S. 3162, on March 26, 2010 by unanimous consent.  The House passed H.R. 5014 today by a vote of 417-0.  The bill will be sent to the Senate for passage. Below are Congressman Dingell’s remarks:

“Madam Speaker:  I rise in support of H.R. 5014, legislation to ensure the VA Spina Bifida Program and the Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Program constitute minimum essential coverage under the new health care reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148). 

“While the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act explicitly states that it covers health care programs administered by the VA, some have questioned whether the VA’s Spina Bifida Program, which provides health care to children of Vietnam War and certain Korean War veterans for spina bifida-related medical conditions, and the Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Program, which provides care for certain birth defects of the biological child of a woman veteran who served in Vietnam, meet the individual requirement.  H.R. 5014 leaves no room for doubt.

“As a veteran of WWII, I understand what our brave American men and women give up to serve our country.  For the past several years, the Democratic Congress has honored them and their dependents with benefits worthy of their service.  This legislation continues to pay tribute to our veterans, providing them the respect they deserve by codifying that all VA Health Care programs are covered by the health care reform law.  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5014.”