H.R. 3951 · 119th Congress
Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025
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Passed the House without a recorded vote. It passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record how each member voted. Its text can still change before it becomes law.
R
CiscomaniSponsor2 cosponsors · 2 D
2 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
- House Introduced Jun 12, 2025
- House Passed Sep 15, 2025
This bill extends and expands the pilot program under which certain non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care professionals may be contracted to provide disability examinations to veterans, regardless of the jurisdiction of their licensure, for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and care.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Jun 12, 2025
Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025
This bill extends and expands the pilot program under which certain non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care professionals may be contracted to provide disability examinations to veterans, regardless of the jurisdiction of their licensure, for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and care. Specifically, the bill (1) expands the types of health care professionals who may provide such examinations, and (2) extends the authority for such professionals to be contracted for this purpose through January 5, 2031.
Currently, such examinations may only be contracted to licensed non-VA physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, or psychologists. The bill expands the list to include qualified health care professionals who are eligible for appointment to specified positions in the Veterans Health Administration, including hospital or clinic directors, dentists, and pharmacists.
The VA must report on its use of the expanded authority under this bill.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025
Latest action (Sep 16, 2025): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security · Origin: House · Introduced: Jun 12, 2025
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
- House Introduced Jun 12, 2025
- House Passed Sep 15, 2025
No recorded floor vote found.