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S3033119th CongressWALLET

Improving Access to Care for Rural Veterans Act

Sponsored By: Senator Tammy Duckworth

In Committee

Summary

Required partnerships between VA medical centers and rural medical facilities would expand local access to care for rural veterans and aim to reduce costs by using telehealth, co-location, training, care coordination, emergency transportation, and other arrangements.

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  • Rural veterans and families: Would get more local options for VA care through telehealth and services hosted at nearby clinics, which could cut travel and improve appointment access.
  • VA facilities and administrators: Would need to form partnerships or obtain a waiver within 3 years and set up oversight, standardized waiver forms, and reporting systems described in a required implementation briefing within 180 days.
  • Rural medical providers and communities: Would be able to host VA services or coordinate care under leases, memoranda of understanding, employment or contractor agreements, and other service contracts to support veterans locally.

The bill defines "rural" by the USDA Rural-Urban Commuting Areas system and lets the VA Secretary issue waivers for up to five years with 48-hour notice to Congress and renew them after an evaluation.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More VA care partnerships for rural veterans

If enacted, each VA medical facility would need to partner with a medical facility located in areas the Department of Agriculture codes as rural. Partnerships could include telehealth, sharing or leasing space and equipment, training, care coordination, and emergency services including transportation. Existing VA facilities that treat patients would need to comply or get a Secretary waiver within three years; new facilities would have three years from first treating patients. The Secretary could grant waivers for up to five years and must notify Congress at least 48 hours before a waiver starts. These partnership rules would be in addition to the VA's current authority under 38 U.S.C. 8153.

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Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Tammy Duckworth

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 10/22/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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