H.R. 3610 — Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2025

This section revises the definition of "Department of Hawaiian Home Lands" in the Native American Direct Loan program for VA housing loans to Native American veterans (38 U.S.C. §3765(3)(B)) to conform to the definition in section 801 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. §4221) (from the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 (42 Stat. 108)). (Thus, the term now explicitly includes the agency responsible for administering that Act and aligns VA loan eligibility for Hawaiian Home Lands with NAHASDA housing programs.)

This section (1) establishes a new VA section 1703H requiring reimbursement to Native Hawaiian health care systems (as defined in the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act [42 U.S.C. 11711]) for costs of care provided to VA-eligible veterans, including direct care, purchased or referred care, or travel contracts; and (2) exempts Native Hawaiians (as defined in that Act) from VA cost-sharing requirements for hospital and outpatient care under 38 U.S.C. 1730A(b). (As background, the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act authorizes federal health programs serving Native Hawaiians, defined as U.S. citizens descended from the aboriginal people of Hawaii prior to 1778.)