Veterans STAND Act

Yearly spinal care for veterans

If enacted, the VA would offer a yearly preventive health evaluation to any veteran with a spinal cord injury or disorder who elects it. The evaluation could be provided in person, by referral, or through VA telehealth and would assess health risks, chronic pain and its management, diet and weight, prosthetic needs and safety, and suitability for assistive technologies. The bill would define assistive technology to include powered mobility devices (including powered exoskeletons), speech-generating devices, spinal cord neuromodulation (including non-invasive transcutaneous stimulation), and certain FDA-approved implantable stimulators. VA would have to consult spinal cord experts, patient groups, and device makers before changing rules, try to notify known veterans about the evaluation, offer telehealth training and follow-up for devices, and report use and outcomes to Congress starting one year after enactment.