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S4304119th CongressWALLET

TRAVEL Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

Introduced

Summary

Authorizes VA to deploy traveling physicians to U.S. territories to expand veterans' access to care. This bill would let the Secretary of Veterans Affairs assign VA-employed physicians to serve as traveling physicians at VA or approved facilities in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or other U.S. territories and possessions for up to one year per assignment.

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  • Veterans in territories would get more local access to VA hospital care and medical services when traveling physicians are assigned.
  • VA-employed physicians could be assigned for up to one year per assignment and would receive a relocation or retention bonus substantially similar to existing VA bonuses.
  • The Secretary may assign multiple traveling physicians and designate each to a specific territory, and traveling physicians must coordinate with non-VA medical providers as needed to ensure coordinated care. The bill also updates VA law by replacing the term "retention allowances" with "retention bonuses" in two provisions.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Traveling VA doctors to territories

This bill would let the Secretary of Veterans Affairs assign physicians appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401 to serve as traveling physicians for up to one year per assignment. Those physicians would be able to provide care in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or other U.S. territories or possessions at VA or other approved facilities. Traveling physicians would be required to coordinate with non-Department medical providers as needed to ensure coordinated, high-quality care for veterans receiving hospital care and medical services. In addition to regular pay under 38 U.S.C. 7431, the Secretary would provide a relocation or retention bonus substantially similar to bonuses under 38 U.S.C. 7410(a). If enacted, these changes would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

MT • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 4/15/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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