Ciscomani Introduces Bill Expediting Reception of VA Benefits After Service

Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) is introducing bipartisan legislation with several lawmakers to speed up veterans' reception of VA benefits upon leaving the military.

Named the "Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment" Act, Rep. Ciscomani's bill creates a three-year pilot program allowing servicemembers to sign up for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits 180 days (about six months) before their official separation date.

In other words, once veterans officially receive their official separation paperwork, they can receive benefits immediately. Rep. Ciscomani explained that veterans cannot apply for benefits until they receive the separation documents, leaving their coverage in limbo.

As a result, the Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act cuts out the limbo period.

The bill bears some resemblance to Ciscomani's recently reintroduced Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act, which would implement a three-year pilot program in which case managers are assigned to oversee and coordinate benefits offered by Medicare and Veterans Affairs for each veteran enrolled in these systems.

In his press release, the Arizona Congressman described his district as home to 80,000 veterans and how "I often hear about the difficulties they face as they transition back into civilian life."

"We must take every action to make this transition as smooth as possible and ensure that our veterans receive the health care and benefits their service earned. However, under current law, when members of the military leave their service, they are not eligible to receive certain veterans benefits until they receive their official separation documents, which can result in months-long gaps in coverage," Ciscomani continued.

The bill's primary cosponsor, Representative Young Kim (R-CA), added, "Our service members should not have to worry about whether their families can receive VA health care as they transition to civilian life. The Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act addresses any lapse in care and gives our armed forces the certainty they deserve."

"As a wife and sister to U.S. Army veterans, supporting those who served in our nation's uniform and their families is personal to me," she concluded.

Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), and Gil Cisneros (D-CA) are other cosponsors.