Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025
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The bill would expand which non-VA health care professionals can be contracted to perform veterans' disability examinations across state lines, adding dentists, pharmacists, and other Veterans Health Administration-eligible professionals beyond the current list of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists.
It would also extend this cross-jurisdictional licensure authority through September 30, 2031, aiming to reduce wait times for veterans, especially in rural areas where finding an in-state licensed examiner can be difficult.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would amend the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 and the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 to broaden the pool of non-VA health care professionals who may be contracted to conduct medical disability examinations for veterans regardless of where they are licensed. Instead of limiting the authority to physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists, it would extend eligibility to any health care professional qualified for appointment to specified Veterans Health Administration positions, provided they hold an unrestricted license and are not barred from practicing anywhere. The bill would also push back the sunset date for this authority from five years after the 2020 law's enactment to September 30, 2031, and would require the VA Secretary to report to Congress within 15 months on usage, costs, timeliness, accuracy, and errors associated with the expanded authority.
Key provisions
- 1Would expand eligible contracted examiners beyond physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists to any health care professional qualified for specified Veterans Health Administration positions
- 2Would require examiners to hold a current unrestricted license and not be barred from practice in any state
- 3Would extend the sunset date of this cross-jurisdictional licensure authority from five years after the 2020 law's enactment to September 30, 2031
- 4Would make a conforming amendment replacing the specific list of professional types with the broader term 'health care professionals'
- 5Would require the VA Secretary to report to Congress within 15 months on usage, costs, timeliness, accuracy, and errors of the expanded authority
Who would be affected
Veterans seeking disability examinations for VA benefits, particularly those in rural or underserved areas with limited access to in-state licensed examiners; non-VA health care professionals such as dentists and pharmacists who could now be contracted for these exams; and the Department of Veterans Affairs, which administers the contracting and reporting.
Why it matters
Veterans in areas with few available examiners could get disability exams scheduled faster because more types of contracted health professionals, licensed in any state, could perform them. The reporting requirement would let Congress track whether the expanded pool affects exam cost, speed, or accuracy, and whether errors occur from professionals lacking proper authorization.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note) (Sec. 2(a))
Broadens the definition of eligible contracted health care professionals who may perform disability exams regardless of licensure jurisdiction
Amends Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Sec. 2(b)-(c))
Extends the sunset date for the cross-jurisdictional licensure authority to September 30, 2031, and updates the list of covered professionals
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- Sunset of the expanded cross-jurisdictional licensure authority for contract examiners
- Deadline for VA Secretary's report to Congress on use of the expanded authority
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates H.R. 3951 would increase direct spending by less than $500,000 over the 2025–2035 period, with no effect on revenues or the deficit beyond a negligible amount.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3951 would increase direct spending (mandatory spending) by less than $500,000 over both the 2025–2030 and 2025–2035 windows, driven entirely by the cost of a one-time report VA would be required to submit to Congress on its use of the expanded contracting authority. The bill would have no effect on revenues, and because it would not change the number of veterans eligible for disability compensation benefits, it would not affect disability benefit outlays. CBO found no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates in the bill.
How implementation would work
The Department of Veterans Affairs would use its existing contracting authority under Section 504 of the 1996 Act to engage a wider range of qualifying health care professionals, verifying each holds a current, unrestricted license and is not barred from practice anywhere. The expanded authority would remain in effect until September 30, 2031. Within 15 months of enactment, the Secretary must report to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees on exam volume, cost, timeliness, legal adequacy, geographic distribution, professional types used, and any erroneous or unauthorized examinations, along with a correction plan.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Official CRS summary
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This bill extends and expands the pilot program under which certain non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care professionals may be contracted to provide disability examinations to veterans, regardless of the jurisdiction of their licensure, for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and care. Specifically, the bill (1) expands the types of health care professionals who may provide such examinations, and (2) extends the authority for such professionals to be contracted for this purpose through January 5, 2031.
Currently, such examinations may only be contracted to licensed non-VA physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, or psychologists. The bill expands the list to include qualified health care professionals who are eligible for appointment to specified positions in the Veterans Health Administration, including hospital or clinic directors, dentists, and pharmacists.
The VA must report on its use of the expanded authority under this bill.
Legislative subjects
Armed Forces and National Security; Congressional oversight; Health personnel; Licensing and registrations; Veterans' medical care; Veterans' pensions and compensation
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-259