H.R. 3228House116th Congress (2019-2021)Passed House

VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 6:18 AM UTC

The VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act updates the law so that more health‑care workers can deliver telemedicine services to veterans. It specifically allows health‑professional trainees and workers who are still obtaining their licenses to provide virtual care, as long as they are supervised by a qualified VA clinician. The change expands the pool of providers who can treat veterans through telehealth.

Key Provisions

Defines a “covered health care professional” to include VA employees, those authorized by the Secretary, and anyone with a full, unrestricted state license or certification.
Adds health‑profession trainees appointed under VA sections 7405 or 7406 as eligible to provide telemedicine, provided they are under clinical supervision.
Allows professionals who are in the process of obtaining the required license, registration, certification, or other authorization to deliver telemedicine while supervised.

Legislative Activity

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12 earlier actions

SenateCalendars Latest Action

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 553.

September 23, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 12, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

June 12, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

June 25, 2019

HouseCommittee

Committee Hearings Held.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

July 23, 2020

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

July 30, 2020

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

July 30, 2020

HouseFloor

Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

September 22, 2020 • 2:06 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4680-4682)

September 22, 2020 • 2:07 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3228.

September 22, 2020 • 2:07 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

September 22, 2020 • 2:18 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4680-4681)

September 22, 2020 • 2:18 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

September 22, 2020 • 2:18 PM

SenateCalendars

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 553.

September 23, 2020

Bill Text

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Placed on Calendar SenateIssued September 23, 2020

Calendar No. 553

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 3228

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 23, 2020

Received; read twice and placed on the calendar

AN ACT

To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize health professional trainees to provide treatment via telemedicine, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act.

Licensure of health care professionals providing treatment via telemedicine

Section 1730C(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b)

Covered health care professionals

For purposes of this section, a covered health care professional is any of the following individuals:

(1)

A health care professional who—

(A)

is an employee of the Department appointed under section 7306, 7401, 7405, 7406, or 7408 of this title, or under title 5;

(B)

is authorized by the Secretary to provide health care under this chapter;

(C)

is required to adhere to all standards for quality relating to the provision of health care in accordance with applicable policies of the Department; and

(D)

has—

(i)

an active, current, full, and unrestricted license, registration, or certification in a State to practice the health care profession of the health care professional;

(ii)

qualifications prescribed by the Secretary under section 7402(b) of this title for an appointment to a position in the Veterans Health Administration; or

(iii)

other authorization from the Secretary to provide health care.

(2)

A health professions trainee who—

(A)

is appointed under section 7405 or 7406 of this title; and

(B)

is under the clinical supervision of a health care professional described in paragraph (1).

(3)

A health care professional who—

(A)

is appointed to a position described in paragraph (1) or (3) of section 7401 of this title under—

(i)

section 7401 of this title;

(ii)

section 7405 of this title; or

(iii)

title 5;

(B)

is in the process of obtaining, within a timeframe prescribed by the Secretary—

(i)

a license, registration, or certification described in paragraph (1)(D)(i);

(ii)

qualifications described in paragraph (1)(D)(ii); or

(iii)

authorization described in subparagraph (B) or (D)(iii) of paragraph (1); and

(C)

is under the clinical supervision of a health care professional described in paragraph (1).

Passed the House of Representatives September 22, 2020.

Cheryl L. Johnson,

Clerk

September 23, 2020

Received; read twice and placed on the calendar