SCHEDULES Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Franklin, Scott
Introduced
Summary
A nationwide timeliness standard for VA care referrals and appointments would set clear scheduling targets and require public reporting so veterans and lawmakers can see how quickly care happens.
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- Veterans and families: Veterans would get clear scheduling targets of 3 business days for VA facility appointments and 7 calendar days for community care after a referral enters the VA care coordination system.
- VA medical centers and community providers: Each facility would report the share of referrals that meet the standard and be ranked from best to worst on public lists.
- Congress and the public: Quarterly reports would break performance down by the five or more most in-demand care categories, include four-quarter aggregates, list steps to improve timeliness, estimate when full compliance will be met, and be posted on the Veterans Health Administration website.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Faster VA appointments for veterans
If enacted, VA would have to set a timing standard for how long it takes from a referral entering VA care coordination to an appointment. The standard would apply to both VA facilities and community care and include a three-business-day goal for VA appointments and a seven-calendar-day goal for community care. VA would have to report to Congress at least quarterly with facility-level counts and percentages meeting the standard. Reports must break results into five or more in-demand care categories, publish a ranked list of VA medical centers (including by State), include an annual four-quarter summary, and describe steps and an estimate for full compliance. The Secretary could modify the standard as scheduling systems change but must publish the initial standard or any modification in the Federal Register and on VA’s website at least 30 days before it takes effect.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Franklin, Scott
FL • R
Cosponsors
Panetta
CA • D
Sponsored 4/6/2026
Patronis
FL • R
Sponsored 4/6/2026
Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
GU • R
Sponsored 4/6/2026
Dunn (FL)
FL • R
Sponsored 4/14/2026
McGarvey
KY • D
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Rutherford
FL • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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