H.R. 3951 Passed the House Armed Forces and National Security

Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025

To amend the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 and the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 to improve the temporary licensure requirements for contract health care professionals who perform medical disability examinations for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6] Introduced June 12, 2025 Cosponsors 2 (2 D) Latest action September 16, 2025

Summary

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.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Sep 16, 2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  2. Sep 15, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Sep 15, 2025 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4289)
  4. Sep 15, 2025 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4289: 1)
  5. Sep 15, 2025 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3951.
  6. Sep 15, 2025 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4289)
  7. Sep 15, 2025 Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  8. Sep 9, 2025 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 215.
  9. Sep 9, 2025 Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-259.
  10. Jul 23, 2025 Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
  11. Jul 23, 2025 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  12. Jul 3, 2025 Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged

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