H.R. 7747 — State Veterans Homes Inspection Simplification Act

This section establishes deeming authority under Medicare (SSA §1819) and Medicaid (SSA §1919) for State veterans homes (as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101)—facilities providing nursing, domiciliary, and other care to eligible veterans with VA per capita grants—if certified by VA under standards approved by the HHS Secretary. Such deeming requires (1) VA provision of inspection documentation including survey findings and corrective actions, (2) biennial submission of VA standards and procedures for CMS review to ensure alignment with Medicare conditions of participation, and (3) standards that meet or exceed CMS survey protocols and enforcement expectations (i.e., deficiency citations, corrective actions, and remedies); HHS retains authority for complaint investigations, remedies including civil monetary penalties and termination, revocation of deeming for inconsistencies, and public reporting of VA data on the Nursing Home Care Compare website, with required congressional notices. The amendments take effect 90 days after enactment.

This section directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), to incorporate inspection findings, deficiency statements, and quality metrics from VA-certified State homes (i.e., state-operated long-term care facilities for eligible veterans) into the Nursing Home Care Compare website (or successor), to the extent feasible and consistent with HHS requirements and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) risk-adjustment and case-mix methodologies for nursing facilities. The section further requires HHS, in consultation with VA and not later than 180 days after enactment, to issue guidance aligning certification and data reporting processes for such State homes to ensure consistency and transparency in public reporting of quality and compliance information.

This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to Congress, not later than three years after the effective date of this Act, evaluating (1) the impact of deeming authority on survey efficiency and costs; (2) comparative enforcement outcomes between VA-conducted and CMS-conducted surveys; (3) quality of care and safety outcomes for residents of State Veterans Homes; and (4) recommendations for legislative or administrative action.