Bills · S 4217
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 4217Armed Forces and National Security
Copay Fairness for Veterans Act of 2026
This bill removes costs for veterans and their families when getting checkups, vaccines, or birth control through the VA.AI-written
INTRO MAR 26· LAST ACTION MAR 26
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
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- Introduced only
tl;dr
AI-writtenEliminates all VA copayments for preventive care, including screenings, vaccines, and contraception, ensuring veterans don't pay out-of-pocket to stay healthy.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenUnder current law, private insurance plans are often required to provide preventive care for free, but the VA still charges some veterans copayments for these same services. This creates a gap where those who served may pay more for basic health maintenance than people with private jobs. If this bill becomes law, it levels that playing field and treats veteran healthcare like modern private insurance.
In the real world, even small costs can stop people from getting a flu shot or a cancer screening. Catching a disease early is usually the difference between a simple treatment and a life-threatening crisis. By making these services free, the bill hopes to save lives and eventually save the government money by avoiding the high costs of treating advanced, late-stage illnesses.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Eliminates copayments for all preventive medications, including over-the-counter options.
This ensures veterans don't have to pay for routine items like aspirin or supplements that doctors prescribe to prevent heart disease or other conditions.
PROVISION 02
Removes fees for preventive services during hospital stays, nursing home care, and walk-in clinic visits.
It prevents veterans from receiving unexpected bills for routine checkups or vaccines regardless of where they receive the care.
PROVISION 03
Updates the definition of preventive care to include all CDC-recommended vaccines and top-rated health screenings.
This keeps VA care up-to-date with current medical science without requiring new laws for every new vaccine or screening technology.
PROVISION 04
Guarantees free access to contraception and specialized women's health screenings.
It removes financial barriers to reproductive health and addresses specific health risks for women veterans, like breast cancer and domestic violence.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
D· Illinois
YRS IN OFFICE
13
BILLS LED
65
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAR 26
Introduced in Senate
MAR 26
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 4217
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMar 26, 2026
Last actionMar 26, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 26, 2026
Senate BillS 4217Armed Forces and National Security
Copay Fairness for Veterans Act of 2026
This bill removes costs for veterans and their families when getting checkups, vaccines, or birth control through the VA.AI-written
INTRODUCED MAR 26, 2026· LAST ACTION MAR 26, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
