State Veterans Homes Inspection Simplification Act

VA-Inspected State Homes Treated Like Medicare

This bill would let State Veterans Homes inspected and certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs be treated as meeting key Medicare participation rules if the HHS Secretary approves the VA standards. The VA would have to give CMS inspection records on request and submit State home survey standards and inspection procedures at least once every 2 years for joint review. CMS would publish accepted VA survey and certification data on Nursing Home Care Compare, and the rule would also apply to Medicaid. CMS would still be able to investigate complaints, do targeted surveys, impose civil monetary penalties or terminate participation, and revoke deemed status if VA processes fail federal transparency, data quality, or enforcement standards. The Medicare/Medicaid changes would take effect 90 days after enactment, and HHS and VA would have to issue guidance to align certification and public reporting within 180 days after enactment.