Federal RuleAug 21
62
DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-hr-6835119th CongressWALLET
Veterans STAND Act
Sponsored By: Representative Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
In Committee
Summary
Annual preventive health evaluations for veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder would be required, covering risks, chronic pain, diet and weight, prosthetic needs, and suitability for assistive technologies. The evaluation could be provided in person, by referral, or through VA telehealth and would include assessment of spinal cord neuromodulation options and home-use training and follow-up where clinically appropriate.
Show full summary
- Veterans: Eligible veterans would be offered a yearly evaluation that screens for health complications, chronic pain management, dietary and weight concerns, prosthetic function and safety, and the fit of assistive technologies such as powered exoskeletons, speech devices, non‑invasive transcutaneous spinal stimulation, and FDA‑approved implantable stimulators.
- VA clinicians and networks: The Secretary would have to consult spinal cord injury specialists, program managers, technologists, and recognized veterans organizations when developing guidance. The provision of these evaluations would also be a factor in Veterans Integrated Service Network performance reviews.
- Manufacturers and reporting: Before issuing rules that affect makers of assistive technologies the Secretary would consult those manufacturers. The Secretary would also report to the congressional Veterans’ Affairs committees within one year and every two years after that with counts of veterans who used, were assessed for, or were prescribed assistive technologies, categories of devices including neuromodulation, and year‑to‑year changes in evaluation rates.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Yearly spinal cord health checks
If enacted, VA would offer one yearly health check to veterans with spinal cord injury or disorder who choose it. The check would assess risks, chronic pain, diet, weight, and prosthetic device needs and safety. It would also review assistive technology needs, including spinal cord neuromodulation, powered exoskeletons, and speech devices. Implantable stimulators would be considered only if FDA approved and clinically appropriate under VA policy. VA could provide training, device programming, remote monitoring, and follow-up by telehealth when clinically appropriate. VA would try to notify veterans known to have these injuries each year about the evaluation.
VA consultation and network review
If enacted, VA would consult spinal cord program managers, VA specialists, neuromodulation experts, and recognized veterans' organizations before issuing or changing guidance about the evaluation and devices. If proposed guidance would directly affect device manufacturers, VA would also consult those manufacturers first. Starting one year after enactment, VA would consider provision of the yearly evaluations when reviewing Veterans Integrated Service Network performance.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
MI • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
WI • R
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. James, John [R-MI-10]
MI • R
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
IA • R
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
NV • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]
IL • R
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
MI • R
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
ME • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4]
MI • R
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
NC • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]
CO • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7]
SC • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3]
MS • R
Sponsored 6/30/2026
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 7/2/2026
Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]
IN • D
Sponsored 7/13/2026
Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]
NJ • R
Sponsored 8/6/2026
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov