Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH]
Introduced
Summary
Expand temporary licensure for contract health professionals to increase rural veterans' access to medical disability examinations. This bill would broaden which licensed clinicians can perform Veterans Affairs medical disability examinations under VA contracts and extend the temporary authority through September 30, 2031. It also requires the VA to report to Congress on how the authority was used during the first year.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More VA disability examiners for veterans
This bill would let more types of licensed clinicians perform VA medical disability exams under VA contracts. To qualify, a clinician would need to be eligible for appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7402(b) and hold a current, unrestricted license. They would also need to not be barred from practicing in any State and to be performing authorized duties under a VA contract. The temporary authority would take effect on enactment and remain in place through September 30, 2031. Within 15 months after enactment, the VA Secretary would report to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees on use of this authority during the first year, including counts of exams by state and by clinician type, costs, timeliness, legal adequacy, any exams done without proper contracts, and the Secretary's plan to fix errors.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH]
OH • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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