Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
Introduced
Summary
Reinstates reimbursement levels and forces clearer VA reporting to protect home-based care for veterans. This bill would require the VA to restore homemaker and home health aide reimbursement rates to the levels in effect on December 31, 2025 and prevent reductions below those levels without at least 90 days' notice to Congress.
Show full summary
- Rural veterans and their families could face fewer service disruptions because providers would have stronger payment guarantees that make local home care more viable.
- Homemaker and home health aide providers would gain rate stability and advance warning of cuts, which could help retain staff and maintain participation in rural regions.
- The VA would have to submit a 90-day report detailing the data sources, formulas, weighting, contractor roles, and provider consultation used to set rates, plus a report within 180 days and annual reports on provider capacity and regional participation.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Protect VA home-care pay and access
If enacted, the bill would require VA to reinstate any homemaker and home health aide rates cut after December 31, 2025, back to the levels in effect on that date. On and after enactment, VA would not be allowed to cut those rates below the December 31, 2025 levels unless it notifies Congress at least 90 days before the cut takes effect. Within 90 days, VA would report to Congress how it sets those rates, including data sources, formulas, contractors, and provider input. Within 180 days and annually after, VA would report whether there are enough providers, where regional gaps exist, and how it plans to address them, with attention to rural areas.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
NM • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]
TX • D
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]
TX • D
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
NM • D
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]
TX • D
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]
TX • D
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20]
TX • D
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34]
TX • D
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]
TX • D
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov