Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) No-Health Period Extension
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Proposed rule.
CFR Part: "38 CFR Part 9"
RIN Number: "RIN 2900-AO24"
Citation: "77 FR 37839"
"Proposed Rules"
SUMMARY: The
DATES: Comments must be received by VA on or before
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted through http://www.Regulations.gov; by mail or hand delivery to Director, Regulations Management (02REG),
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of
Section 9.2(c) provides an exception to the imposition of those limitation periods. If either an application or the initial premium has not been received by the administrative office within the applicable period specified in
VA proposes to amend
VA is proposing to extend the 120-day "no-health" period to 240 days to increase the opportunity for disabled veterans to apply for VGLI. VA has found that during the initial 120-day adjustment period following termination of duty, many veterans have not had time to assess their life insurance needs. An expanded "no-health" period would also provide
In addition to changes made to the length of the "no-health" period, this amendment of
Finally, VA is proposing to amend
VA estimates that there would be no additional costs to the Government as a result of this proposed rule. We anticipate that the final rule will be effective in early fall 2012, and apply to veterans released from service on or after the effective date.
Comment Period
Although under the rulemaking guidelines in Executive Order 12866, VA ordinarily provides a 60-day comment period, the Secretary has determined that there is good cause to limit the public comment period on this proposed rule to 30 days. VA does not expect to receive a large number of comments on this proposed rule, particularly comments that are negative or that oppose this rule, because this rule would increase the opportunity for veterans to obtain valuable insurance coverage that is needed to help ensure financial security for their families, while placing no additional burdens on veterans or their families. Lastly, VA believes that implementation of this regulation is particularly urgent because by extending the VGLI "no-health" eligibility period, it will enable some of the most disabled veterans to obtain insurance coverage when eligibility for commercial insurance is not possible due to their disabilities. The 30-day review and comment period will not result in any additional cost or cause any negative impacts on the program, but will make the extended "no-health" period available to disabled veterans sooner. Accordingly, the Secretary has determined that it is unnecessary, impracticable, and contrary to the public interest to provide for a longer comment period, and VA has provided that comments must be received within 30 days of publication in the
Unfunded Mandates
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and benefits before issuing any rule that may result in an expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of
Paperwork Reduction Act
This proposed rule contains no provisions constituting a collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521).
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, and other advantages; distributive impacts; and equity). Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review) emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) defines a "significant regulatory action," which requires review by the
The economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy implications of this regulatory action have been examined and it has been determined not to be a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Secretary of
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number and Title
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number and title for the program affected by this document is 64.103, Life Insurance for Veterans.
Signing Authority
The Secretary of
List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 9
Life insurance, Military personnel, Veterans.
Dated:
Director,
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the
PART 9--SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE AND VETERANS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE
1. The authority citation for part 9 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1965-1980A, unless otherwise noted.
2. Amend
a. Revising the authority citation at the end of paragraph (b).
b. Revising paragraph (c).
c. Adding an authority citation at the end of the section.
The revisions and addition read as follows:
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1977)
(c) If either an application or the initial premium has not been received by the administrative office within the time limits set forth above,
* * * * *
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1967, 1968, 1977)
[FR Doc. 2012-15420 Filed 6-22-12;
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
Copyright: | (c) 2012 Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc. |
Wordcount: | 1961 |
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