Federal law lets the VA offer Fisher House lodging to veterans, and people supporting them, who travel a significant distance for medical care at a VA facility.
This bill makes it easier for certain military families to access temporary lodging when traveling for medical care. It helps ensure that family members can stay close to their loved ones during treatment.
The case for
The case against
No committee member filed a written objection. The committee approved it by voice vote.
Fisher House Availability Act of 2026This bill expands eligibility for temporary lodging at a Fisher House to additional individuals receiving medical care or treatment at a Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) or non-VA facility or those accompanying individuals receiving such treatment. (Fisher Houses are where the VA furnishes no-cost lodging to veterans and other eligible individuals when receiving treatment or accompanying an individual receiving treatment.) Specifically, the bill authorizes the VA to provide lodging at a Fisher House on a space-available basis tomembers of the uniformed services performing active duty (i. e., covered beneficiaries) who must travel a significant distance to receive care or services; family members and others accompanying such covered beneficiaries to receive care or services; veterans, members of a veteran's family, and others who must travel a significant distance for a member of a veteran's family to receive care or services; andcovered beneficiaries, members of a covered beneficiary’s family, and others who must travel a significant distance for a member of a beneficiary’s family to receive care or services. Finally, the bill extends the limitation on pension amounts for certain hospitalized or institutionalized veterans through July 31, 2033.
Last changed 1 month ago · checked hourly
