President signs into law Latta’s bipartisan, bicameral bill to hire veteran health heroes

The Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act of 2021, a bipartisan, bicameral bill supported by U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), became law on Nov. 30 with President Joe Biden’s signature.

“I am grateful to my Senate colleagues and the President for moving quickly to make this bill a law,” Rep. Latta said. “Providing resources to our veterans has always been a top priority of mine while serving in Congress, and with this legislation we are able to secure a win for our veterans as they acclimate to civilian life.” 

Specifically, the president on Tuesday signed into law S. 894, introduced on March 23 by U.S. Sens. Mike Braun (R-IN) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH). Rep. Latta on the same day sponsored the identical bill, H.R. 2151, in the U.S. House of Representatives alongside original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY). 

The newly signed law requires the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to work with the U.S. Department of Defense to identify members of the Armed Forces and refer them for recruitment to federal healthcare departments like the VA, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Latta’s staff.

“Each year 13,000 active-duty medical department military members on average separate from the military,” said Rep. Latta. “These service members have been medically trained and have provided care to others in the military with poise and distinction.”

“With the signing of the Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act, it will be easier for these vets to use the skills they learned while in the Armed Forces to help other veterans, and the VA can benefit from employing patriotic and hardworking veterans,” Rep. Latta added.

The U.S. Senate on July 21 approved the measure, which the U.S. House then passed on Nov. 15 before sending it to the president for his signature to make it law.