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H.R. 4532House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Nursing Home Care for Native American Veterans Act

Sponsored by Tom O'HalleranRep. Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ)
Introduced September 26, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 8:34 AM UTC

The Nursing Home Care for Native American Veterans Act would let the Department of Veterans Affairs treat Indian tribes like states for the purpose of its nursing‑home grant program. By doing so, the VA could award grants to nursing homes that serve veterans and are located on tribal lands. The bill also requires the VA to consult with tribes, report to Congress, and provide technical help to make the program work for tribal facilities.

Key Provisions

  • Adds Indian tribes to the definition of “State” in the VA’s State home program, allowing tribes to receive the same grant funding as states for veteran nursing homes on tribal lands.
  • Requires the VA Secretary to consult with tribes within 180 days of enactment to see if any changes to the program are needed.
  • Mandates a report to the Veterans’ and Indian Affairs committees within 90 days of the consultation, recommending any legislative changes.
  • Allows the VA to modify regulations (without new legislation) within 180 days after consultations to better support tribal nursing homes.
  • Obligates the VA to provide technical support and assistance to tribes operating State homes.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

October 8, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 26, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

September 26, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

October 8, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 26, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4532

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 26, 2019

Mr. O'Halleran (for himself, Mr. Cole, and Mr. Gallego) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make certain grants to assist nursing homes for veterans located on tribal lands.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Nursing Home Care for Native American Veterans Act.

2.

Grants for State homes located on tribal lands

(a)

State home defined

Section 101(19) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting or Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) after (other than a possession).

(b)

Payments to State homes

Section 1741 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(h)

In this subchapter, the term State means each of the several States and each Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)).

.

(c)

State home construction

(1)

In general

Section 8131(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting includes each Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) but before does not.

(2)

Conforming amendment

Section 8132 of such title is amended by striking several.

(d)

Additional legislative or administrative action

(1)

Consultation with Indian tribes

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult with Indian tribes to determine if any legislative or administrative action is necessary to modify the State home program to function efficiently in support of State homes operated by Indian tribes pursuant to the amendments made by this section.

(2)

Report to Congress

Not later than 90 days after completing consultations under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report recommending legislative action that the Secretary considers appropriate to modify the State home program described in such paragraph in light of those consultations.

(3)

Modifications

Not later than 180 days after completing consultations under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make any modifications to regulations implementing the State home program, for which legislative action is not necessary, as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of those consultations.

(e)

Technical support and assistance

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide technical support and assistance to Indian tribes in carrying out the State home program at State homes operated by Indian tribes pursuant to the amendments made by this section.

(f)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Appropriate committees of Congress

The term appropriate committees of Congress means—

(A)

the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate; and

(B)

the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States of the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.

(2)

Indian tribe

The term Indian tribe has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(3)

State home

The term State home has the meaning given that term in section 101(19) of title 38, United States Code.

(4)

State home program

The term State home program means the program of the Department of Veterans Affairs for which payments are made under subchapter V of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, and assistance is provided under subchapter III of chapter 81 of such title.