H.R. 3471 would modify a program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that assists eligible veterans with purchasing automobiles and having those vehicles adapted to accommodate the veterans’ disabilities. The bill also would authorize VA to employ hearing aid specialists and would require VA to prepare an annual report documenting the access of veterans to hearing health services sponsored by VA. In total, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 3471 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2017-2021 period; that spending would be subject to appropriation of the necessary amounts. Enacting H.R. 3471 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
Section 2 would require VA to ensure that eligible veterans have the opportunity to choose a certified, licensed provider for purchasing an automobile or installing adaptive equipment. On the basis of information from VA about current practice related to personal selections for automobiles and adaptive equipment, CBO believes that section 2 would codify current practice and, therefore, have no budgetary effect.
Section 3 would require VA to develop a comprehensive policy regarding quality standards for providers who make modifications to vehicles under the adaptive equipment program for automobiles. Section 3 also would require VA to provide biennial reports to the Congress on the implementation of that policy. CBO estimates that implementing section 3 would increase costs by less than $500,000 over the 2017-2021 period.
