Women Veterans Specialty Care Access Act
Sponsored By: Senator Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
In Committee
Summary
Direct scheduling for women's specialty care would let eligible women veterans book gynecology, obstetrics, maternity, and postpartum appointments without a VA primary care referral. The bill would require each VA medical center and clinic that offers those services to provide direct scheduling by phone, online tools, and any other scheduling method the Department uses.
Show full summary
- Women veterans: Women enrolled in the VA annual patient enrollment who are eligible for women's specialty care would be able to schedule those specialty appointments directly, removing the need for a VA primary care referral or extra approvals.
- VA medical centers and clinics: Facilities that offer women's specialty care would have to provide direct scheduling through telephone, online scheduling tools, and other Department scheduling methods.
- VA leadership and eligibility: The Secretary would be barred from imposing additional approval, referral, or screening steps to access these services, and the bill preserves existing eligibility and access standards under section 1703 of title 38, U.S. Code.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Direct scheduling for women's specialty care
If enacted, a woman veteran enrolled in the VA annual patient enrollment system under 38 U.S.C. 1705(a) who is eligible for women's specialty care would be able to directly schedule appointments for gynecology, obstetrics, maternity, and postpartum care. You would not need a referral, extra approval, or any screening step from a VA primary care provider. Direct scheduling would have to be available at each VA medical center or clinic that offers women's specialty care and by phone, online scheduling tools, and other VA scheduling methods. Scheduling may also be provided through the Veterans Community Care Program under 38 U.S.C. 1703. This would not change who is eligible for care under 38 U.S.C. 1703.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
TN • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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