U.S. Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has joined Senators Jerry Moran and Brian Schatz in introducing new legislation to expand Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for U.S. veterans living in the Freely Associated States (FAS), which include Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. Additional co-sponsors include Senators Roger Wicker, Richard Blumenthal, John Boozman, Mazie Hirono, Martin Heinrich, Lisa Murkowski, and Jeanne Shaheen.
The proposed Caring for Veterans and Strengthening National Security Act would require the VA to provide telehealth services, mail-order pharmacy benefits, and travel reimbursements to eligible veterans residing in these Pacific nations within a year of enactment. Citizens from the FAS have some of the highest per capita enlistment rates in the U.S. military. In exchange for exclusive U.S. military basing rights in these countries, the United States provides their defense under longstanding compact agreements.
Senator Risch stated: “Veterans from Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia who have bravely served our country deserve the best care that we can give them. The Caring for Veterans and Strengthening National Security Act ensures that these veterans receive care that honors their service and our unique relationships with the Freely Associated States. I’m grateful to Senator Moran for spearheading this important legislation.”
Senator Moran commented: “We have a commitment to support and care for those who have served our nation. This legislation confirms our commitment to helping veterans succeed after their military service is over and bolsters our longstanding and unique relationships with these three important countries in the Pacific. I thank my colleagues for supporting this legislation that would improve services for our nation’s veterans and support our collective national security interests abroad.”
Senator Schatz added: “U.S. veterans in the FAS deserve the same care as all other servicemembers, without having to navigate complex, costly barriers or travel long distances just to see a doctor or get medication. This bill ensures servicemembers can finally access the care they deserve.”
Senator Wicker said: “This summer, I visited with veterans living in the Freely Associated States. They described their inability to access the travel and health care benefits that veterans in the United States receive. This legislation would resolve that problem. At the same time, it would strengthen our relationship with these vital Pacific partners as the region grows increasingly dangerous.”
Senator Blumenthal remarked: “Veterans who served our country must receive the care and benefits they were promised and earned. Continuing this longstanding arrangement for COFA veterans is critical to our national security. Now more than ever, we need to ensure the US delivers on its commitments to these countries who we rely on for forward basing in the IndoPacific.”
Senator Boozman stated: “We have a duty to fulfill the promises made to those who have sacrificed for our country including veterans in the Marshall Islands and their FAS peers. I’m pleased to join this bipartisan initiative to ensure access to earned benefits isn’t constrained by where a veteran calls home. Providing telehealth, medication delivery flexibility and travel reimbursement will honor our compact and maintain strong ties that serve our shared interests.”
Senator Hirono said: “COFA citizens who served in our military deserve access to the same health care services and benefits as any other American veteran. That’s why we secured language in the renegotiated Compacts of Free Association to enable VA to provide care to COFA veterans without them having to travel out of country. I am proud to introduce this common-sense legislation to ensure VA makes good on its obligation to COFA veterans and maintain our strong partnership with the Freely Associated States and their citizens.”
Senator Heinrich added: “Ensuring that all veterans have access to the benefits they have earned is simply the right thing to do. Veterans from the Marshall Islands, Palau and Micronesia answered the call and served their country. We owe it to these men and women to honor their sacrifice and care for them when they come home — wherever they choose to live. This legislation is a meaningful step toward keeping our nation’s promise to take care of veterans, while also bolstering national security interests abroad.”
Kalani R. Kaneko, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Marshall Islands commented: “I strongly support this bipartisan legislation to extend VA health care to veterans in the Freely Associated States... Allowing veterans to receive care at home strengthens families, stabilizes communities, and advances shared national security interests by reducing forced Marshallese out-migration driven by lack of access to care... This legislation honors the service of Marshallese and American veterans alike and is a win-win for both nations.”
Jackson Soram, Ambassador of Micronesia said: “FSM is proud... However, veterans who return home... have faced significant cost and access barriers... The Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 removed statutory barriers... We appreciate... leadership... which will direct VA to provide certain necessary healthcare services including telehealth... consistent with congressional intent...”
Hersey Kyota, Ambassador of Palau noted: “A top U.S. military commander called Palau ‘part of homeland’... Most [veterans] can’t come home after their service because they can’t get VA healthcare... That devalues their service... President Whipps ... worked ...to have this inequity corrected ... last year’s bipartisan U.S law ...was intended ... This new bill would [do so]. Palau greatly appreciates it.”
In 2024 Congress passed amendments giving VA authority over medical services for FAS-based U.S vets; however implementation has not yet occurred.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee was established as one of Congress's original standing committees in 1816 (source). The committee plays an ongoing role shaping foreign policy through legislative examination (source), treaty review (source), major policy decisions such as rejecting Versailles Treaty (source), supporting post-war initiatives like Truman Doctrine (source), as well as designating chairpersons among majority members (source). It operates within government focusing on international relations issues (source).
