[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1276 Engrossed in House (EH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1276

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
  To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish COVID-19 
        vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans Affairs 
Veterans' and Caregivers' COVID-19 Immunizations Now Expanded Act of 
2021'' or the ``VA VACCINE Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO FURNISH COVID-19 
              VACCINES TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may furnish a 
COVID-19 vaccine to a covered individual during the COVID-19 public 
health emergency.
    (b) Vaccines Furnished Abroad.--In the case of an individual who is 
a covered individual by reason of subsection (d)(2)(B), the Secretary 
may furnish a COVID-19 vaccine, in a geographic location other than a 
State, to such individual under subsection (a) regardless of whether 
the Secretary determines that such vaccine is needed for the treatment 
of a service-connected disability of the veteran or as part of a 
rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of title 38, United States 
Code.
    (c) Veteran and Accompanying Caregiver Priority.--In furnishing 
COVID-19 vaccines, the Secretary shall--
            (1) prioritize the vaccination of veterans who are enrolled 
        in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, 
        veterans who fail to so enroll but receive hospital care and 
        medical services pursuant to subsection (c)(2) of such section, 
        and accompanying caregivers over the vaccination of covered 
        individuals under this section not otherwise described in this 
        paragraph; and
            (2) only furnish such vaccines to covered individuals under 
        this section to the extent that such vaccines are available.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``accompanying caregiver'' means a caregiver 
        described in subparagraph (C), (D), or (E) of paragraph (2) who 
        is accompanying a veteran as described in subsection (c)(1).
            (2) The term ``covered individual'' means any of the 
        following:
                    (A) A veteran who is not eligible to enroll in the 
                patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States 
                Code.
                    (B) A veteran who is eligible for care under 
                section 1724 of such title.
                    (C) A family caregiver who is approved as a 
                provider of personal care services for an eligible 
                veteran under the program of comprehensive assistance 
                for family caregivers under section 1720G(a) of such 
                title.
                    (D) A caregiver of a covered veteran participating 
                in the program of general caregiver support services 
                under section 1720G(b) of such title.
                    (E) A caregiver of a veteran participating in the 
                Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, 
                Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed 
                Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (3) The term ``COVID-19'' means the Coronavirus disease 
        2019.
            (4) The term ``COVID-19 public health emergency'' means the 
        public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and 
        Human Services on January 27, 2020, with respect to the 
        Coronavirus disease 2019.
            (5) The term ``State'' has the meaning given that term 
        section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 9, 2021.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
117th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               H. R. 1276

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

  To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish COVID-19 
        vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes.