# 119-s-1853: Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2025

119-s-1853, Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2025, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] (D-HI); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2025-12-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1853
- As of: 2025-12-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-1853
- Congress: 119
- Title: Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2025
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-05-21
- Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] (D-HI)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Native Americans
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2025-12-21

## Summary

**Parity in VA housing and medical benefits for Native Hawaiian veterans.** This bill would align the VA's housing loan rules with the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act and create new VA payment and cost-sharing rules tied to Native Hawaiian health law. - Veterans who are Native Hawaiian would be able to rely on NAHASDA's definition for VA direct housing loan eligibility instead of the prior VA wording. This clarifies who counts for the VA housing loan program. - Native Hawaiian health care systems could be reimbursed by the VA for care or services provided to veterans who are eligible for VA care. Reimbursement would apply whether care is provided directly, purchased or referred, or supplied under a travel contract. - Native Hawaiians, as defined by the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act, would be exempt from VA medical cost sharing when eligible for VA care. This cross-references the existing Native Hawaiian definition to the VA cost-sharing rule.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (D-HI), 2025-05-21T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- More VA health help for Native Hawaiians: benefit, medium. If enacted, Native Hawaiian veterans eligible for VA care would be exempt from VA medical cost-sharing. If enacted, the VA would also reimburse Native Hawaiian health care systems for care they give to eligible veterans. The rules use the Native Hawaiian definition in 42 U.S.C. 11711. These changes…
- VA housing loan Native American definition: mixed, low. If enacted, the VA would use the Native American definition from NAHASDA section 801 for its direct housing loan program. If you apply for a VA direct housing loan, you may qualify if you meet that NAHASDA definition. This change would take effect upon enactment.

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act
- 119-s-2823: FAMILY Act
- 119-s-3869: Healthy Families Act
- 119-s-2231: GLOBE Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-s-1853 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1853)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5071)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [119-s-2823: FAMILY Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2823)
- [119-s-3869: Healthy Families Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3869)
- [119-s-2231: GLOBE Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2231)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1853 (as of 2025-12-21).