HR3726-119

What This Bill Does

The Fisher House Availability Act amends title 38 section 1708, which governs Department of Veterans Affairs temporary lodging. It broadens Fisher House and other VA temporary lodging access on a space-available basis for covered beneficiaries who must travel a significant distance to receive care or services at a VA or non-VA facility. It also covers family members and other people who accompany a covered beneficiary and provide the equivalent of family support, plus veterans and covered beneficiaries who must travel a significant distance for a family member's care. The bill updates VA criteria for providing access and defines a Fisher House as a temporary residential facility at or near a VA medical facility that is constructed by, or for, the Fisher House Foundation. The reported text also extends certain VA pension-payment limits from January 31, 2033 to July 31, 2033.

Who Benefits and How

TRICARE beneficiaries benefit because they can use VA temporary lodging on a space-available basis when they travel far for care at VA or non-VA facilities. Family members supporting covered beneficiaries benefit from lodging eligibility when they accompany the patient and provide family-like support. Veterans benefit when they must travel for a family member's care. Military retirees and dependents benefit where they qualify as covered beneficiaries under title 10. Fisher House facility administrators benefit from clearer statutory criteria for who may use lodging when space is available.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Department of Veterans Affairs must update lodging criteria, eligibility guidance, reservation workflows, and facility policies. VA medical center lodging officers must decide space-available placement for covered beneficiaries, veterans, family members, and support persons. Fisher House facility staff must manage expanded eligibility while protecting availability for existing patient families. Federal taxpayers bear any additional administrative or lodging costs. VA pension administrators must apply the extended pension-payment limit date.

Key Provisions

• Expands VA temporary lodging eligibility for covered beneficiaries traveling significant distances for care.
• Provides space-available lodging for family members and support persons accompanying covered beneficiaries.
• Provides space-available lodging for veterans and covered beneficiaries traveling for family members' care.
• Requires VA to establish criteria for access to temporary lodging under the new eligibility categories.
• Defines Fisher House facilities and extends a VA pension-payment limit to July 31, 2033.