# 119-s-3033: Improving Access to Care for Rural Veterans Act

119-s-3033, Improving Access to Care for Rural Veterans Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL); status in_committee; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-07-15).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3033
- As of: 2026-07-15
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-3033
- Congress: 119
- Title: Improving Access to Care for Rural Veterans Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-10-22
- Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-07-15

## 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. - 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.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN] (R-TN), 2025-10-22T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- More VA care partnerships for rural veterans: benefit, medium. 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 transportati…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-4744: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
- 119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act
- 119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act

## Sources
- [119-s-3033 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3033)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-4744: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4744)
- [119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5238)
- [119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3597)
- [119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5071)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3033 (as of 2026-07-15).