Congressional Accountability Tracker

House Report 119-350 - VETERANS SCAM AND FRAUD EVASION ACT OF 2025

[House Report 119-350]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

119th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 119-350

=======================================================================

VETERANS SCAM AND FRAUD EVASION ACT OF 2025

----------------

October 21, 2025.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed

----------------

Mr. Bost, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
submitted the following

R E P O R T

together with

MINORITY VIEWS

[To accompany H.R. 1663]

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 1663) to amend title 38, United States Code, to
establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Veterans Scam
and Fraud Evasion Officer, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an
amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass.

CONTENTS

Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 3
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 3
Hearings......................................................... 4
Subcommittee Consideration....................................... 4
Committee Consideration.......................................... 4
Committee Votes.................................................. 5
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 7
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 7
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits............................. 7
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 7
Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Estimate........ 7
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 8
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 9
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 9
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs..................... 9
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 9
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 10
Minority Views................................................... 15

The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Scam And Fraud Evasion Act of
2025'' or the ``VSAFE Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. VETERANS SCAM AND FRAUD EVASION OFFICER.

(a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``Sec. 325. Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer

``(a) Establishment.--There is in the Department a Veterans Scam and
Fraud Evasion Officer, who shall--
``(1) be responsible for fraud and scam prevention,
reporting, and incident response plans at the Department; and
``(2) serve as a central point of contact to direct veterans
to resources to prevent and mitigate fraud and scams.
``(b) Responsibilities.--The Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer
shall carry out the following responsibilities:
``(1) Providing comprehensive communication from the
Secretary to employees of the Department and veterans, their
families, caregivers, and survivors during strategic and time-
sensitive fraud and scam incidents.
``(2) Establishing consistent guidance across the enterprise
for employees as well as veterans, their families, caregivers,
and survivors on how to identify, report, and avoid fraud and
scam attempts.
``(3) Promoting the VSAFE Fraud Hotline and VSAFE.gov website
of the Department (and any successor resources) and identifying
other identity theft resources available to veterans, their
families, caregivers, and survivors, including with respect to
actions made by the Secretary to protect the identities of
veterans and their beneficiaries.
``(4) Developing methods to monitor fraud and scam metrics
within the Department to--
``(A) provide internal and external reporting;
``(B) enable advanced data analytics; and
``(C) facilitate proactive and robust fraud and scam
trend identification.
``(5) Developing comprehensive training plans for Department
employees fielding fraud and scam inquiries and reports.
``(6) Coordinating with the Inspector General of the
Department and other Federal departments and agencies,
including the Executive Office of the President, the Office of
Management and Budget, the Internal Revenue Service, the
Department of Justice, the Department of State, the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau, the Department of Defense, the
Department of Education, the Social Security Administration,
and other relevant agencies to--
``(A) develop a whole-of-Government view within the
Department to improve fraud prevention efforts within
the Department;
``(B) identify the proper avenues for veterans to
report fraud attempts and receive assistance; and
``(C) identify opportunities for coordination with
such departments and agencies.
``(7) Consulting with veterans service organizations and
State, local, and tribal governments, as necessary, to improve
understanding of potential fraud and scam risks to veterans.
``(c) Full-Time Employees.--Nothing in this section authorizes an
increase in the number of full-time employees otherwise authorized for
the Department.
``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to limit the authority of the Office of Inspector General of
the Department as otherwise provided in this title or in chapter 4 of
title 5 (commonly referred to as the Inspector General Act of 1978).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``325. Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer.''.

SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LIMITS ON PAYMENTS OF PENSION.

Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``November 30, 2031'' and inserting ``January 30, 2032''.

Purpose and Summary

H.R. 1663, the ``Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Act of
2025,'' was introduced by Representative Ken Calvert of
California on February 27, 2025. The bill, as amended, would
establish a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer at the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The officer would lead the
Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) office and be tasked
with coordinating all fraud and scam prevention efforts both
inside VA and with external agencies that work with VA.
Specifically, the officer would be responsible for developing
VA's fraud and scam prevention, reporting, and incident
response plans. The bill, as amended, would also establish a
name for the fraud and scam prevention hotline and website.

Background and Need for Legislation

Section 1: Short Title

This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Scam and Fraud
Evasion Act of 2025,'' or the ``VSAFE Act of 2025.''

Section 2: Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) receives hundreds of
thousands of reports of fraud and scams from the veteran and
military community. According to FTC data, veterans reported
$350 million in fraud losses in 2023 alone.\1\ Historically, VA
has had several organizations dedicated to combating fraud and
scams that target veterans. However, Committee oversight
suggests these efforts are redundant and ineffective.
Currently, the VSAFE office is not codified and could be
nullified by any future administration. The Committee believes
that without a permanent legislative solution, veterans remain
vulnerable to scams and fraudsters.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Disabled American Veterans, There's a Bill to Protect Veterans
from Scams and Fraud, (Mar. 21,2024), https://www.dav.org/learn-more/
news/2024/theres-a-bill-to-protect-veterans-from-scams-and-fraud/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee believes this section would better protect
veterans against fraudsters and scammers by establishing and
codifying a VA Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer who
would be responsible for fraud and scam prevention, incident
response plans, and reporting to the VA Secretary. The officer
would also have additional responsibilities, including alerting
and establishing guidance to veterans and VA employees anytime
fraud attempts are made; promoting the VSAFE Fraud Hotline and
the VSAFE.gov website; developing a training curriculum for
veterans and VA employees to identify and report scams and
fraud; and creating a whole-of-government approach with other
federal agencies to combat scams and fraud.

Section 3: Modification of Certain Limits on Payments of Pension

Under current law (38 U.S.C. Sec. 5503(d)), the amount of
VA pension paid to veterans with no spouse or child, veterans'
surviving spouses with no child, or a veteran's child who are
admitted to a VA or Medicaid-sponsored nursing facility is
capped at $90 per month. This section would cover the costs of
the other sections of this bill by extending this pension
limitation from November 30, 2031, to January 30, 2032. Because
they receive government-sponsored care in a nursing home, these
pension beneficiaries do not require the full amount of pension
to cover their cost of living. The Committee believes this
short-term extension of the current limit on pension payments
is a reasonable way to cover the costs associated with the
other sections of this bill.

Hearings

On June 11, 2025, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a legislative
hearing on H.R. 1663 and other bills pending before the
subcommittee.
The following witnesses testified:
Ms. Laura Duke, Chief Financial Officer, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Jennifer McDonald, Director, Community
Care Division, Office of Audits and Evaluations, Office
of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Toni Phillips, Chief Nurse Informatics
Officer, Electronic Health Record Management
Information Office, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Cherri Waters, Acting Deputy Chief
Information Officer and Executive Director, Health
Portfolio, Office of Information and Technology, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Cody Carbone, Chief
Executive Officer, The Digital Chamber; Mr. Cole T.
Lyle, The American Legion; and Dr. Edward O'Bryan,
Chief, Veterans and Corrections ICCE, Associate
Professor of Medicine, Medical University of South
Carolina.
The following individuals and organizations submitted
statements for the record:
Representative Scott Franklin of Florida,
Representative Ken Calvert of California, and Concerned
Veterans for America.

Subcommittee Consideration

On July 23, 2025, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations was discharged from further consideration of
this legislation.

Committee Consideration

On July 23, 2025, the full Committee met in open markup
session, to consider H.R. 1663. During consideration of the
bill, the following amendments were offered:
An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by
Representative Jen Kiggans of Virginia that would make
the VSAFE officer the central point of contact for scam
prevention resources for veterans, clarify the updated
title of the VSAFE website and the fraud hotline, and
require VA to develop a whole-of-government approach at
VA. The amendment in the nature of a substitute also
included language to offset the cost of the bill. The
amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to
by voice vote.
An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute offered by Representative Delia Ramirez of
Illinois would require the VSAFE Officer to focus
efforts on specific fraudulent activities thereby
removing the discretion of the Secretary related to the
activities of the office. This amendment failed by a
recorded vote of 11 ayes, 12 noes.
A motion by Representative Bergman to report H.R. 1663, as
amended, favorably to the House of Representatives, was agreed
to by voice vote.

Committee Votes

In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, one recorded vote was taken on
amendments or in connection with ordering H.R. 1663, as
amended, reported to the House.
An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1663 offered by Ms. Ramirez was not
agreed to by a recorded vote of 11 ayes, 12 noes. The
names of Members voting for and against follow:

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

Committee Oversight Findings

In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of
this report.

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives

In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee's performance
goals and objectives of H.R. 1663, as amended, are to establish
a VA Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer responsible for
preventing, identifying, and reporting fraud and scams against
veterans and ensuring that VA employees and veterans have the
guidance and training to identify and avoid scam and fraud
attempts.

Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits

H.R.1663, as amended, does not contain any Congressional
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as
defined in clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.

Committee Cost Estimate

The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R.
1663, as amended, prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office.

Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office
Cost Estimate

Pursuant to clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the following is the cost
estimate for H.R. 1663, as amended, provided by the
Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974:

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

H.R 1663 would establish a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion
Officer within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The
bill also would reduce the amount of VA pensions the department
pays to certain veterans and survivors who reside in nursing
homes. Implementing the bill would increase spending subject to
appropriation by $12 million and reduce direct spending by $8
million over the 2025-2035 period, CBO estimates. The budgetary
effects of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall within
budget function 550 (health) and 700 (veterans benefits and
services).
Spending subject to appropriation: Under the bill, the
Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer would be responsible
for coordinating efforts to protect veterans from frauds and
scams. The officer would promote resources for preventing
frauds and scams, provide training to department employees, and
coordinate with similar efforts of other federal agencies.
Using information from VA, CBO estimates the department would
require four full-time equivalent employees (the new officer
and three support staff) to satisfy the bill's requirements.
Compensation, benefits, and operating expenses would total $1
million in 2026, CBO estimates. Including adjustments for
inflation, CBO estimates those costs would total $12 million
over the 2025-2035 period. Such spending would be subject to
the availability of appropriated funds.

TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF H.R. 1663
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025- 2025-
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2030 2035
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Estimated Authorization.................................... 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 5 12
Estimated Outlays.......................................... 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 5 12

DECREASES (-) IN DIRECT SPENDING

Estimated Budget Authority................................. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -8 0 0 0 0 -8
Estimated Outlays.......................................... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -8 0 0 0 0 -8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Direct spending: Under current law, VA reduces pension
payments to veterans and survivors who reside in Medicaid
nursing homes to $90 per month. That required reduction expires
November 30, 2031. Section 3 of H.R. 1663 would extend that
reduction for 61 days, through January 30, 2032. CBO estimates
that extending that requirement would reduce VA benefits by $10
million per month. (Those benefits are paid from mandatory
appropriations and are therefore considered direct spending.)
As a result of that reduction in beneficiaries' income,
Medicaid would pay more of the cost of their care, increasing
spending for that program by $6 million per month. Thus,
enacting section 3 would reduce net direct spending by $8
million over the 2025-2035 period.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Logan Smith. The
estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy
Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.

Federal Mandates Statement

Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act (as amended by Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded
Mandate Reform Act, P.L. 104-4) is inapplicable to H.R. 1663,
as amended.

Advisory Committee Statement

No advisory committees within the meaning of Section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R.
1663, as amended.

Applicability to the Legislative Branch

The Committee finds that H.R. 1663, as amended, does not
relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to
public services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.

Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision
of H.R. 1663, as amended, would establish or reauthorize a
program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of
another Federal program, a program that was included in any
report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress
pursuant to section 21 of P.L. 111-139, or a program related to
a program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance.

Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation

Section 1: Short title

This section would establish the short title of the bill as
the ``Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Act of 2025,'' or the
``VSAFE Act of 2025.''

Section 2: Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer

This section would amend Chapter Three of title 38 United
States Code by adding a new section.
The new section would establish a Veterans Scam and Fraud
Evasion Officer who is responsible for fraud and scam
prevention, reporting, and incident response plans at VA. This
office would serve as the central point of contact for veterans
and VA employees seeking resources to prevent fraud and scams.
This section would require the Veterans Scam and Fraud
Evasion Officer to fulfill the following responsibilities: (1)
provide comprehensive communication from VA to VA employees,
and veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors during
strategic and time-sensitive fraud and scam incidents; (2)
establish consistent guidance for VA employees and veterans,
their families, caregivers, and survivors on how to identify,
report, and avoid fraud and scam attempts; (3) promote the
VSAFE Fraud Hotline and VSAFE.gov website, and identify other
identity theft resources available to veterans, their families,
caregivers, and survivors, and other actions taken by the
Secretary to protect the identities of veterans and their
beneficiaries; (4) develop methods and metrics to monitor and
track scam attempts within VA to provide internal and external
reporting, enable advanced data analytics, and facilitate
proactive and robust fraud and scam identification; (5) develop
training for VA employees fielding fraud and scam inquiries and
reports; (6) coordinate with the Office of the Inspector
General of the VA and other federal departments and agencies to
create a whole-of-government view within VA, identify proper
avenues for veterans to report fraud attempts and receive
assistance, and identify opportunities for coordination with
other federal departments and agencies; and (7) consult with
veteran service organizations and state, local, and tribal
governments to improve the understanding of fraud and scam risk
within VA.
This section would make it clear that an increase in the
number of full-time employees is not authorized for VA.
Finally, it states that nothing in this section should be
construed to limit the authority of the VA Inspector General as
otherwise provided in Title 38 or in Chapter 4 of Title 5,
United States Code.

Section 3: Modification of certain limits on payments of pension

This section would amend 38 U.S.C. Sec. 5503(d)(7) by
striking ``November 30, 2031'' and inserting ``January 30,
2032.''

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, existing law in which no change
is proposed is shown in roman):

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):

TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE

* * * * * * *

PART I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

* * * * * * *

CHAPTER 3--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Sec.
* * * * * * *
325. Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer.

* * * * * * *

Sec. 325. Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer

(a) Establishment.--There is in the Department a Veterans
Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer, who shall--
(1) be responsible for fraud and scam prevention,
reporting, and incident response plans at the
Department; and
(2) serve as a central point of contact to direct
veterans to resources to prevent and mitigate fraud and
scams.
(b) Responsibilities.--The Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion
Officer shall carry out the following responsibilities:
(1) Providing comprehensive communication from the
Secretary to employees of the Department and veterans,
their families, caregivers, and survivors during
strategic and time-sensitive fraud and scam incidents.
(2) Establishing consistent guidance across the
enterprise for employees as well as veterans, their
families, caregivers, and survivors on how to identify,
report, and avoid fraud and scam attempts.
(3) Promoting the VSAFE Fraud Hotline and VSAFE.gov
website of the Department (and any successor resources)
and identifying other identity theft resources
available to veterans, their families, caregivers, and
survivors, including with respect to actions made by
the Secretary to protect the identities of veterans and
their beneficiaries.
(4) Developing methods to monitor fraud and scam
metrics within the Department to--
(A) provide internal and external reporting;
(B) enable advanced data analytics; and
(C) facilitate proactive and robust fraud and
scam trend identification.
(5) Developing comprehensive training plans for
Department employees fielding fraud and scam inquiries
and reports.
(6) Coordinating with the Inspector General of the
Department and other Federal departments and agencies,
including the Executive Office of the President, the
Office of Management and Budget, the Internal Revenue
Service, the Department of Justice, the Department of
State, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the
Department of Defense, the Department of Education, the
Social Security Administration, and other relevant
agencies to--
(A) develop a whole-of-Government view within
the Department to improve fraud prevention
efforts within the Department;
(B) identify the proper avenues for veterans
to report fraud attempts and receive
assistance; and
(C) identify opportunities for coordination
with such departments and agencies.
(7) Consulting with veterans service organizations
and State, local, and tribal governments, as necessary,
to improve understanding of potential fraud and scam
risks to veterans.
(c) Full-Time Employees.--Nothing in this section authorizes
an increase in the number of full-time employees otherwise
authorized for the Department.
(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to limit the authority of the Office of Inspector
General of the Department as otherwise provided in this title
or in chapter 4 of title 5 (commonly referred to as the
Inspector General Act of 1978).

* * * * * * *

PART IV--GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

* * * * * * *

CHAPTER 55--MINORS, INCOMPETENTS, AND OTHER WARDS

* * * * * * *

Sec. 5503. Hospitalized veterans and estates of incompetent
institutionalized veterans

(a)(1)(A) Where any veteran having neither spouse nor child
is being furnished domiciliary care by the Department, no
pension in excess of $90 per month shall be paid to or for the
veteran for any period after the end of the third full calendar
month following the month of admission for such care.
(B) Except as provided in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph,
where any veteran having neither spouse nor child is being
furnished nursing home care by the Department, no pension in
excess of $90 per month shall be paid to or for the veteran for
any period after the end of the third full calendar month
following the month of admission for such care. Any amount in
excess of $90 per month to which the veteran would be entitled
but for the application of the preceding sentence shall be
deposited in a revolving fund at the Department medical
facility which furnished the veteran nursing care, and such
amount shall be available for obligation without fiscal year
limitation to help defray operating expenses of that facility.
(C) No pension in excess of $90 per month shall be paid to or
for a veteran having neither spouse nor child for any period
after the month in which such veteran is readmitted for care
described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph and
furnished by the Department if such veteran is readmitted
within six months of a period of care in connection with which
pension was reduced pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of this
paragraph.
(D) In the case of a veteran being furnished nursing home
care by the Department and with respect to whom subparagraph
(B) of this paragraph requires a reduction in pension, such
reduction shall not be made for a period of up to three
additional calendar months after the last day of the third
month referred to in such subparagraph if the Secretary
determines that the primary purpose for the furnishing of such
care during such additional period is for the Department to
provide such veteran with a prescribed program of
rehabilitation services, under chapter 17 of this title,
designed to restore such veteran's ability to function within
such veteran's family and community. If the Secretary
determines that it is necessary, after such period, for the
veteran to continue such program of rehabilitation services in
order to achieve the purposes of such program and that the
primary purpose of furnishing nursing home care to the veteran
continues to be the provision of such program to the veteran,
the reduction in pension required by subparagraph (B) of this
paragraph shall not be made for the number of calendar months
that the Secretary determines is necessary for the veteran to
achieve the purposes of such program.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) shall also apply to a
veteran being furnished such care who has a spouse but whose
pension is payable under section 1521(b) of this title. In such
a case, the Secretary may apportion and pay to the spouse, upon
an affirmative showing of hardship, all or any part of the
amounts in excess of the amount payable to the veteran while
being furnished such care which would be payable to the veteran
if pension were payable under section 1521(c) of this title.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or
any other provision of law, no reduction shall be made in the
pension of any veteran for any part of the period during which
the veteran is furnished hospital treatment, or institutional
or domiciliary care, for Hansen's disease, by the United States
or any political subdivision thereof.
(c) Where any veteran in receipt of an aid and attendance
allowance described in subsection (r) or (t) of section 1114 of
this title is hospitalized at Government expense, such
allowance shall be discontinued from the first day of the
second calendar month which begins after the date of the
veteran's admission for such hospitalization for so long as
such hospitalization continues. Any discontinuance required by
administrative regulation, during hospitalization of a veteran
by the Department, of increased pension based on need of
regular aid and attendance or additional compensation based on
need of regular aid and attendance as described in subsection
(l) or (m) of section 1114 of this title, shall not be
effective earlier than the first day of the second calendar
month which begins after the date of the veteran's admission
for hospitalization. In case a veteran affected by this
subsection leaves a hospital against medical advice and is
thereafter admitted to hospitalization within six months from
the date of such departure, such allowance, increased pension,
or additional compensation, as the case may be, shall be
discontinued from the date of such readmission for so long as
such hospitalization continues.
(d)(1) For the purposes of this subsection--
(A) the term ``Medicaid plan'' means a State plan for
medical assistance referred to in section 1902(a) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)); and
(B) the term ``nursing facility'' means a nursing
facility described in section 1919 of such Act (42
U.S.C. 1396r), other than a facility that is a State
home with respect to which the Secretary makes per diem
payments for nursing home care pursuant to section
1741(a) of this title.
(2) If a veteran having neither spouse nor child is covered
by a Medicaid plan for services furnished such veteran by a
nursing facility, no pension in excess of $90 per month shall
be paid to or for the veteran for any period after the month of
admission to such nursing facility.
(3) Notwithstanding any provision of title XIX of the Social
Security Act, the amount of the payment paid a nursing facility
pursuant to a Medicaid plan for services furnished a veteran
may not be reduced by any amount of pension permitted to be
paid such veteran under paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(4) A veteran is not liable to the United States for any
payment of pension in excess of the amount permitted under this
subsection that is paid to or for the veteran by reason of the
inability or failure of the Secretary to reduce the veteran's
pension under this subsection unless such inability or failure
is the result of a willful concealment by the veteran of
information necessary to make a reduction in pension under this
subsection.
(5)(A) The provisions of this subsection shall apply with
respect to a surviving spouse having no child in the same
manner as they apply to a veteran having neither spouse nor
child.
(B) The provisions of this subsection shall apply with
respect to a child entitled to pension under section 1542 of
this title in the same manner as they apply to a veteran having
neither spouse nor child.
(6) The costs of administering this subsection shall be paid
for from amounts available to the Department of Veterans
Affairs for the payment of compensation and pension.
(7) This subsection expires on [November 30, 2031] January
30, 2032.

* * * * * * *

MINORITY VIEWS

At the full Committee markup on July 23, 2025,
Representative Delia Ramirez (D-IL) introduced an Amendment to
the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 1663, which
would have required the Veteran Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE)
officer to educate veterans and their families on certain scams
and fraudulent activities that target these communities
specifically. These scams include:
Multi-level marketing (MLM) businesses and
pyramid schemes;
Employment and career-training schemes;
Credit bureau and credit card fraud;
Investment schemes;
Scams involving prizes, sweepstakes, and
lotteries;
Imposter scams, to include business,
government, tech support, and familial impersonation
scams;
Fraudulent lending practices;
Pension poaching;
Disability benefits relating scams and
fraudulent activities; and
Romance scams.
These trainings were identified as potentially necessary
through data published by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC),
which reports on the top fraudulent activities and scams facing
the military and veteran communities. The amendment also
allowed the VSAFE officer to direct trainings over other topics
that they deem necessary and would not ``restrict the
Secretary's ability to determine what the VSAFE officer's
responsibilities would be,'' as Chairman Bost asserted at a
full committee markup of the legislation.
This amendment would have simply built on the comprehensive
work being completed across the federal government, and
increased resources available to veterans and their families.
Without this information sharing and additional training that
is specific to their community, veterans may be more
susceptible to specific harmful scam and fraud tactics that
seek to take advantage of their benefits. By utilizing data and
research collected by the professionals within the FTC, VA can
ensure that it is providing complete and truthful information,
and are able to focus on other tasks that the VSAFE Officer or
the Secretary may deem necessary.

Mark Takano,
Ranking Member.

[all]

VETERANS SCAM AND FRAUD EVASION ACT OF 2025

Summary

Full Text