VA Research Reform Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Murphy
In Committee
Summary
This bill would create a new VA Centralized Research Data System and a standardized, risk-based review and oversight framework to speed high-impact VA research into veteran care. It would also set up regional research hubs and require public performance metrics and reporting to push findings into clinical use.
Show full summary
- Veterans and patients: Major VA research projects would need a veteran impact forecast and a translation plan to show how results will improve care. High-potential findings would get prioritized implementation funding so promising treatments reach veterans faster.
- Researchers and VA facilities: The bill would centralize required project data, standardize national review timelines, and encourage a single Institutional Review Board for multi-site work. Guidance must be issued within 180 days and the first annual performance report is due within 18 months.
- VA administration and partners: The Secretary would set facility-level performance metrics and publish annual reports that identify high and low performers, track implementation outcomes, and encourage coordination with DoD, NIH, and academic partners.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Central VA research data sharing
If enacted, the VA would build a centralized research data system for all VA studies. The system would record project goals, funding, staff, approvals, progress, and results and link with the VA electronic health record. The Secretary would issue rules for submission, accuracy, and security not later than 180 days after enactment. VA would be allowed to share research data with DoD, NIH, universities, and partners only under HIPAA, the Privacy Act, and strong cybersecurity safeguards.
Faster, tiered VA research reviews
If enacted, the VA would use a tiered review system that matches review level to project risk so low‑risk projects can get expedited review. The Secretary would set national target timelines, define risk tiers, and train reviewers. The Under Secretary for Health would monitor review timeliness and could intervene or reassign reviews when timelines are missed. Any intervention must still complete required human and animal subject protections and must be reported to relevant VA officials.
More funding to move research into care
If enacted, the VA would require that amounts for the medical and prosthetic research program be used to help implement high-impact research into VA clinical care. The Office of Research and Development would identify high-impact projects and fund implementation activities like guideline updates, training, IT or equipment changes, and patient outreach. Major VA research projects would also need a veteran impact forecast and a translation plan to be approved or funded, with written justifications and reporting required for any exemptions.
New VA regional research hubs
If enacted, the VA would create regional research hubs to support research at VA hospitals and clinics. The Secretary would pick hub locations and appoint directors. Hubs would help with IRB review, study design, training, veteran recruitment, and centralized grant and data support. The Chief Research and Development Officer and Under Secretary for Health would track and report hub performance.
Standard VA research performance reports
If enacted, the Secretary would set standard metrics to measure research performance at each VA facility. Metrics would include review timeliness, proposals and approvals, enrollments, funding, collaborations, and implementation of findings. The VA would send an annual research performance report to Congressional Veterans' Affairs Committees no later than 180 days after fiscal year end, with the first report due not later than 18 months after enactment. Public versions would be posted on the VA website with aggregation or anonymization to protect privacy.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Murphy
NC • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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