GUARD Veterans’ Health Care Act
Summary
The GUARD Veterans' Health Care Act would address what supporters describe as a financial loophole affecting veterans' healthcare funding. Currently, when veterans are enrolled in both Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare prescription drug plans while also receiving care through the Veterans Health Administration (VA), the federal government pays twice for the same services: Medicare Advantage plans receive fixed monthly payments from the government, and the VA also provides and pays for care. This bill would allow the VA to recover the costs of healthcare items and services it provides to veterans who are dually enrolled in these Medicare plans, rather than allowing private insurers to receive payment for care they did not provide.
Proponents estimate the bill would save approximately $12.1 billion in a single year and $357 billion over ten years by closing this payment loophole. The recovered funds would be reinvested in VA healthcare services, potentially allowing the VA to hire more providers, purchase medical equipment and supplies, and expand available services at VA clinics. The bill also strengthens the VA's ability to recover payments from other third-party insurers for care furnished to veterans. The legislation has bipartisan support in Congress and endorsement from various veterans and consumer advocacy organizations.
