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This bill would change health care coverage for Members of Congress and congressional staff. Starting on January 3, 2027, the only health plan the federal government could offer them for their work would be health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. That means they would get care at VA facilities or other approved places under VA rules, as if they were veterans. The bill also asks the VA and the Office of Personnel Management to develop a plan for how to make this change and to tell Congress what other laws or changes may be needed.
- The new health care rule would replace coverage under the Federal Health Benefits Program and health insurance plans bought through health care exchanges.
- The change would apply to Senators, Representatives, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and congressional staff.
- The VA Secretary and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management must submit an implementation plan to Congress by September 15, 2025.
- The bill says VA care would be provided under the same rules used for veterans, including care at VA facilities and certain non-VA facilities.
Official Summaries
Lead by Example Act of 2025
This bill provides that, beginning January 3, 2027, the only health care plan the federal government may make available to Members of Congress and congressional staff shall be health care provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
By September 15, 2025, the VA and the Office of Personnel Management shall jointly submit to Congress a plan to carry out this bill, including recommendations for any necessary legislative actions.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 149 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 149
To ensure that Members of Congress and Congressional staff receive
health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs instead of under
the Federal Health Benefits Program or health care exchanges.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2025
Mr. Davidson introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To ensure that Members of Congress and Congressional staff receive
health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs instead of under
the Federal Health Benefits Program or health care exchanges.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Lead by Example Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. HEALTH CARE FURNISHED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND CONGRESSIONAL STAFF.
(a) Health Care Benefits.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, beginning January 3, 2027, the only health care plan that the
Federal Government may make available to Members of Congress and
Congressional staff with respect to their service as a Member of
Congress or Congressional staff shall be health care provided through
the Department of Veterans Affairs, including at facilities of the
Department and non-Department facilities pursuant to chapter 17 of
title 38, United States Code, and any other provision of law
authorizing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish such care to
veterans, as if such Members and staff were veterans.
(b) Implementation Plan.--Not later than September 15, 2025, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management shall jointly submit to Congress a plan to carry
out subsection (a), including recommendations for any legislative
actions the Secretary and the Director determine necessary to carry out
such subsection.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``Congressional staff'' means the employees
described in section 2107(1) of title 5, United States Code.
(2) The term ``Member of Congress'' means a Member of the
Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate to the House
of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto
Rico.
(3) The term ``non-Department facility'' has the meaning
given that term in section 1701 of title 38, United States
Code.
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