Vets CLEAR Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]
- Committees
- Veterans' Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 15, 2026
Bottom line
The Vets CLEAR Act aims to improve the VA's financial efficiency and flexibility in funding veteran medical care by strengthening revenue collection and fund management, with increased oversight from the GAO.
What it actually does
This bill amends title 38, United States Code, to enhance the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) ability to recover and collect revenue for its Medical Care Collections Fund (MCCF). It explicitly authorizes the use of federal debt collection tools (from title 31) and other administrative/legal processes for medical care-related debts. Additionally, it grants the VA Secretary temporary discretion, until September 30, 2028, to deposit funds from certain medical services accounts into the MCCF, and mandates regular Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports on these collections and expenditures.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue this bill will streamline the VA's financial operations, allowing it to more effectively recover funds owed for medical care and reinvest them directly into services for veterans. By clarifying and expanding collection authorities and providing greater flexibility in fund allocation, the VA can ensure more resources are available for critical medical services without requiring new appropriations, thereby improving care quality and access for veterans.
Opponents contend
Opponents, if any, might express concerns that expanding debt collection authorities could lead to overly aggressive pursuit of veterans or third-party payers, potentially creating undue hardship. While the bill includes oversight mechanisms, some might argue that the discretionary transfer of funds could obscure financial accountability or divert resources from other essential VA accounts if not managed with extreme transparency and care.
The bill text is short and straightforward, making it highly accessible for a reader to understand its core provisions within a few minutes.
Section 2(a)(1)
Expanded Authorities for Medical Care Collections Fund Revenue Recovery
This provision amends existing law to explicitly allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use specific federal debt collection statutes (sections 3711 and 3729 through 3733 of title 31) for recovering revenue related to medical care, services, or medication provided or paid for under VA's health care chapter. It also clarifies that funds recovered through administrative, legal, or judicial processes, including investigations and audits, can be deposited into the Medical Care Collections Fund (MCCF) if they are based on medical care provided by the VA.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this clarification is essential for the VA to efficiently recover funds, ensuring that resources are maximized and reinvested into veteran care. It aligns VA's medical debt collection with broader federal debt recovery practices, closing potential loopholes or ambiguities.
Critics contend
While no specific opposition is typically raised against improving government efficiency, some might argue that the explicit expansion of collection authorities could lead to more aggressive or less flexible debt recovery practices, potentially impacting veterans or their families who may face financial difficulties.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the VA's need for efficient revenue recovery to fund veteran care against potential concerns about the intensity or scope of debt collection efforts directed at individuals or third parties.
Section 2(a)(3)
Temporary Discretionary Fund Transfer to MCCF
This provision introduces a new subsection allowing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, at their discretion, to deposit funds from the 'Medical Services' account into the Medical Care Collections Fund (MCCF). These funds are specifically those intended to reimburse the 'Medical Services' account for care provided under section 1781 (health care for certain toxic-exposed veterans) and section 8111 (revolving supply funds). This discretionary authority is temporary and will expire on September 30, 2028.
Section 2(b)
GAO Reporting on MCCF Collections and Expenditures
This provision mandates that the Comptroller General of the United States (GAO) submit reports to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs. The first report is due 180 days after enactment, and subsequent reports are required every 180 days thereafter, for as long as the temporary discretionary fund transfer authority (from subsection (c)) is active. These reports must detail the total funds recovered or collected, disaggregated by source, and describe how the Department of Veterans Affairs expended these funds, including categories of medical care, services, staffing, or other purposes.