PRIA Logo™
S787119th CongressWALLET

VetPAC Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]

Passed Senate

Summary

Creates a permanent, independent advisory commission to review Veterans Health Administration operations and recommend improvements. The commission would focus on access and quality of care, workforce and information technology, procurement and facility needs, and long-term budget pressures.

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.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New advisory panel for veterans' care

If enacted, this would set up a permanent advisory panel to review veterans' health care at VA and in community care. The panel would send Congress a report each year by March 15. It would cover access and wait times, quality, workforce, IT and health records, budgets, construction, research, and how VA care works with Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and private plans. Any recommendation would require a simple majority vote, and the panel would review budget effects first. The panel would meet at least once a year; a majority would form a quorum, and it would coordinate with the VA Inspector General. Federal agencies would have to provide requested data within 180 days or on an agreed schedule, and GAO, CRS, and CBO would get panel materials within 30 days of request.

How the panel hires and funds research

If enacted, the panel would be able to hire an Executive Director and staff. The Executive Director’s pay would be capped at Executive Schedule level III, and some hiring would bypass normal competitive rules. Staff would be treated like Senate employees for pay and benefits, and physician staff would be able to receive a comparability allowance. Federal employees could be detailed without losing civil service status. The panel would be able to sign contracts, make advance and progress payments, and fund original research when needed. It would use published and unpublished data and accept input from outside parties for its reports.

VA panel members, terms, and pay

If enacted, the Comptroller General would appoint 17 members, including at least two veterans. Appointees would have strong experience running or advising large health systems across settings. Members would serve five-year terms with staggered starts, and the Comptroller General would name a Chair and Vice Chair. Initial appointments would be due within 280 days after the first funding is provided. While on Commission business, members would get per‑diem pay at Executive Schedule level IV, plus travel costs when authorized. Members would be treated as congressional employees for pay and would have to file public financial disclosure reports.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]

LA • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 2/27/2025

  • Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 12/2/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation