119th (2025–2027)
S. 1853
This bill expands Veterans Affairs benefits for Native Hawaiian veterans in two main ways. First, it allows Native Hawaiian veterans to access direct home loans through the VA's Native American veterans housing program by updating the definition of eligible groups. Second, it requires the VA to reimburse Native Hawaiian health care systems for medical services provided to eligible veterans and exempts Native Hawaiian veterans from cost-sharing requirements for certain VA medical care. The legislation affects Native Hawaiian veterans who may currently face barriers to accessing these housing and health care benefits. The bill does not specify new funding amounts or implementation timelines, but directs the VA to update its policies to extend these existing benefit programs to this population.