Hirono Announces Senate Passage of Bipartisan Korean American VALOR Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced the Senate passage of the Korean American VALOR Act, a bipartisan bill she co-led with Senator Mike Braun (R-IN). The bill allows veterans who served in the armed forces of the Republic of Korea during the Vietnam War, and have since become naturalized U.S. citizens, to become eligible for healthcare services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The House companion legislation introduced by Representative Mark Takano (D-CA) passed in May, and the bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

“Thanks to the Korean American VALOR Act, approximately 3,000 Korean American veterans in Hawaii and across the country will be able to access medical services through the VA,” said Senator Hirono. “I am glad our bill has passed the Senate and will soon be signed into law, to help ensure our veterans have access to the quality VA healthcare they need and deserve.”

Since 1958, the VA has provided healthcare services to veterans of allied European nations during World War I and World War II through the Allied Beneficiary Program. The Korean American VALOR Act would amend title 38 of the U.S. Code to allow the VA Secretary to enter into a similar reciprocal agreement with the Republic of Korea. Approximately 3,000 Korean American Vietnam veterans are naturalized citizens, and the VALOR Act would provide an avenue for these veterans to access medical services and care through the VA.?

The full text of the bill is available here.  

###