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Version 49 · Public Law · Mar 24, 2021
Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize All Veterans and Every Spouse Act or the SAVE LIVES Act
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Under the bill, covered individuals are
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veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system;
specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad;
beneficiaries who are eligible for care due to a specified disability or death of a veteran;
family caregivers of veterans who are participating in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;
caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of General Caregiver Support Services;
caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program; and
the spouses of veterans.
The VA must prioritize the vaccination of (1) veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) veterans who fail to enroll but receive hospital care and medical services for specified disabilities in their first 12 months of separation from service, and (3) caregivers accompanying such prioritized veterans.
Under the bill, the VA is authorized to determine the timing for offering a vaccine to the spouse of a veteran.
People & committees
Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Became Public Law No: 117-4.
Became Public Law No: 117-4.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H1603)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.(text: CR H1603)
Mr. Takano asked unanimous consent to take the bill, H.R. 1276, from the Speaker's Table and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H1603)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S1620)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S1620)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S1620)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed without objection.
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H1178; text: CR H1178)
Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged.
Mr. Takano asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: May 28, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.1276 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.1276 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
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