The Care for COFA Veterans Act expands health care access for veterans living in three Pacific island nations—Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia—that have compacts of free association with the United States. The bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide hospital care and medical services for both service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities in these locations through direct care, contracts, or reimbursement arrangements. It also expands travel benefits so the VA can reimburse veterans in these nations for transportation costs related to treatment of service-connected disabilities. The legislation requires the VA Secretary to work with the State Department and local governments to resolve legal and regulatory issues around health provider licensing, pharmaceutical deliveries, and telehealth services. Within one year of enactment, the VA must conduct outreach to each island nation's government, assess implementation options, and report to Congress on what additional authorities and funding may be needed to carry out the program.
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