S. 2333 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to establish a process allowing designated individuals and certain family members to add information to the health records of deceased veterans and TRICARE beneficiaries. The bill also would require the agencies to establish a process by which individuals may designate the people who may supplement their records after death.
The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall within budget function 700 (veterans benefits and services).
Table 1.
Estimated Budgetary Effects of S. 2333
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2026-2031
Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation
Estimated Authorization
*
3
*
1
*
*
4
Estimated Outlays
*
3
*
1
*
*
4
*= between zero and $500,000
CBO expects that VA and DoD would modify electronic health record systems, develop and maintain a designation process, as well as establish procedures for reviewing submitted information to existing health records.
Using information on the costs of similar modifications to electronic record systems, CBO estimates that updating and maintaining VA's and DoD's electronic health record systems to support those new processes would cost $3 million over the 2026‑2031 period.
In addition, using information on the costs of similar administrative efforts, CBO estimates that modifying the electronic health record systems, implementing the designation process, and reviewing submitted health information would increase VA's workload by the equivalent of two full-time employees. Using information on the costs of similar VA administrative positions, CBO estimates that annual compensation, benefits, and operating expenses would average about $160,000 per employee. On that basis, CBO estimates that implementing the administrative requirements of the bill would cost $1 million over the 2026–2031 period.
In total, CBO estimates that implementing S. 2333 would cost $4 million over the 2026‑2031 period, assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Noah Callahan. The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
