On December 10, the Senate approved, by voice vote, H.R. 6416, the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act. The House approved the bill on December 6 by a vote of 419-0, sending the measure to President Obama for his signature.
Among other provisions, the legislation, sponsored by Rep. David Roe (R-TN), requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate programs that assist veterans, especially with regards to the “unique challenges faced by women veterans” and other veteran populations. In addition, the bill requires emergency departments at VA and Veterans Health Administration hospitals to provide “appropriate medical screening examinations” for emergency medical conditions and women in labor.
