H.R. 4114 — EVEST Act

This section requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to automatically enroll veterans eligible under the VA patient enrollment system not later than 60 days after receiving necessary information transmitted by the Department of Defense under 10 USC 1142(e) (Transition Assistance Program). (As background, the patient enrollment system under 38 USC 1705 prioritizes veterans for hospital care and medical services based on factors such as service-connected disability ratings.) Within 60 days of such enrollment, the Secretary must notify the veteran by mail (and electronically or text, to the extent practicable), including instructions to opt out or enroll later. This section further applies automatic enrollment to veterans discharged or separated from the Armed Forces on or after 90 days before enactment with information received by VA on or after enactment; requires VA, by August 1, 2026, to provide such veterans electronic access to their certificate of eligibility and an opt-out mechanism; and directs VA to submit a report to the congressional Veterans' Affairs Committees not later than one year after the first such enrollment assessing implementation challenges, strategies, and effectiveness (unclassified, with possible classified annex).

This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States to submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, a report on the results of a study to determine the best methods for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide notice of automatic enrollment under paragraph (3) of subsection (d) of section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 2. In conducting the study, the Comptroller General shall consider veterans' needs based on (1) age, (2) residence in an urban area, and (3) residence in a rural area.