Veterans Health Equity Act of 2013

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-203.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 22, 2013

Veterans Health Equity Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with respect to each of the 48 contiguous states, to ensure that veterans who are eligible for hospital care and medical services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have access to: (1) at least one full-service VA medical center in the state, or (2) hospital care and medical services comparable to that provided in full-service VA medical centers through contract with other health providers in the state.

Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on compliance with such requirement, including its effect on improving the quality and standards of veterans' care.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH] · D–NH

Committees

Veterans' Affairs Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Ayotte, Kelly [R-NH]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

May 9, 2013
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-203.
Jan 22, 2013
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 22, 2013
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jan 22, 2013 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 257 · Veterans Health Equity Act of 2013

Source last updated: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.49 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.

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Discuss S.49, 113th Congress: Veterans Health Equity Act of 2013

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/49

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2013-01-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/s49/BILLS-113s49is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:39:20Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.49 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.49 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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Discuss S.49, 113th Congress: Veterans Health Equity Act of 2013

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/49

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2013-01-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/s49/BILLS-113s49is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:39:20Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.49 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.49 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.49, 113th Congress: Veterans Health Equity Act of 2013

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/49

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2013-01-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/s49/BILLS-113s49is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:39:20Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.49 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Examine S.49 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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Discuss S.49, 113th Congress: Veterans Health Equity Act of 2013

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/49

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2013-01-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/s49/BILLS-113s49is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:39:20Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.49 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.