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Improving VA Hospital Emergency Response and Communication During Crises.

This law significantly boosts the ability of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals to operate during disasters and emergencies. It mandates the creation of an independent, high-frequency radio communication system across all VA medical facilities, ensuring staff can coordinate care even if external infrastructure fails. This means veterans can expect more reliable and continuous medical services during major crises.
Key points
Mandatory implementation of a fully operational, high-frequency emergency communication system in all VA medical facilities within two years, independent of external infrastructure.
Requirement for comprehensive staff training and annual testing exercises to ensure communication equipment functionality and operator readiness during simulated emergencies.
Improvements to the management of emergency supplies (caches) and regional readiness centers, including new tracking systems and accountability measures for restocking.
VA must report on plans to improve coordination and resource sharing, such as fuel provision, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during emergencies.
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_3341
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Process start date: 2023-11-15
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Advancing VA’s Emergency Response to (AVERT) Crises Act of 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_S_3341.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-11-15.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Mandatory implementation of a fully operational, high-frequency emergency communication system in all VA medical facilities within two years, independent of external infrastructure.
  • Requirement for comprehensive staff training and annual testing exercises to ensure communication equipment functionality and operator readiness during simulated emergencies.
  • Improvements to the management of emergency supplies (caches) and regional readiness centers, including new tracking systems and accountability measures for restocking.
  • VA must report on plans to improve coordination and resource sharing, such as fuel provision, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during emergencies.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-26.

CATEGORIES

Health Security Benefits