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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today reintroduced legislation that would mandate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse veterans’ emergency health care expenses from non-VA facilities that are not covered by the veteran’s private insurance.

This legislation follows the 2016 Staab v. McDonald and 2019 Wolfe v. Wilkie decisions, which both ruled that the VA must reimburse veterans for these emergency medical expenses.

“No veteran should ever have to worry about whether they can afford costly medical expenses, especially when it comes to an emergency,” said Rep. Dingell. “Yet, the VA is still disregarding court rulings and continuing to deny veterans’ reimbursement claims for any non-VA emergency medical expense. With the Veterans Emergency Care Reimbursement Act, we can address this inexcusable issue head-on and ensure that those who put their lives on the line for us are receiving the proper support and care they deserve through the VA.”

Hundreds of thousands of veterans apply each year to the VA for reimbursement of emergency medical care expenses at non-VA facilities. The VA has always reimbursed emergency care expenses incurred by veterans who do not have health insurance. However, for over a decade, the VA has refused to pay for emergency care expenses if the veterans have other health insurance. This leaves insured veterans on the hook to pay deductibles and coinsurance, which can amount to thousands of dollars for just one episode of care. 

The Veterans Emergency Care Reimbursement Act is endorsed by American Legion, VFW, DAV, PVA, AMVETS, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

"AMVETS fully supports the Veterans Emergency Care Reimbursement Act of 2025, which ensures veterans are not saddled with unfair medical debt when seeking emergency care outside the VA,”said AMVETS National Executive Director Joe Chenelly. “By fixing existing gaps in the law, this bill provides veterans the full reimbursement they have earned and the peace of mind they deserve."

“No veteran should face out-of-pocket costs for emergency care simply because they sought treatment outside a VA facility. DAV applauds Representative Dingell for introducing the Veterans Emergency Care Reimbursement Act of 2025, a vital measure to protect the health and financial security of our nation’s veterans,” said DAV Deputy National Legislative Director Jon Retzer. “Consistent with DAV Resolution No. 357, which calls for full reimbursement of emergency medical expenses for service-connected veterans, this legislation clarifies reimbursement rules, ensures retroactive relief for those previously denied, and removes unnecessary barriers to care. It is a clear reaffirmation of our nation’s promise to stand by those who served.”

“No veteran should face collections because two benefit systems can’t agree on an ER bill. This legislation brings clarity, fairness, and peace of mind to those who did the right thing and sought emergency care,”said Thomas Burke, National President of Vietnam Veterans of America. “It ensures emergency room cost-shares don’t fall on those who served. This bill closes costly loopholes and centers veterans where they belong, first. Vietnam Veterans of America supports its' swift passage.”

“It’s been years since a pair of court rulings struck down a VA regulation that prevented any reimbursement to veterans for emergency care covered by third-party health insurance. The VA has not fully complied with these rulings, and we appreciate this effort to ensure veterans covered by private insurance are not forced to incur expenses that veterans without secondary health insurance do not,” said Paralyzed Veterans of America National Legislative Director Morgan Brown.