Veterans across the country

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 6, 2026

S 5328: Empowering States to Serve Veterans Act

The Empowering States to Serve Veterans Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to share veterans' contact information with state veterans agencies at least quarterly for statistical analysis and outreach purposes. The bill strictly limits the shared data by excluding protected health information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and any financial or claims-related details. To protect privacy, the legislation mandates that veterans receive clear notice of this sharing and provides an accessible process for them to opt out at any time, which requires state agencies to immediately destroy any previously received data. State agencies must also implement federal-standard cybersecurity measures and demonstrate compliance before receiving any information.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransThe bill empowers state agencies to conduct outreach and statistical analysis on veterans by sharing non-sensitive data, thereby enhancing service delivery while strictly protecting privacy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

Sponsor Catherine Cortez Masto (D) · 2 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 7, 2026

S 5361: MMU Rural Expansion Act of 2026

The Mobile Medical Unit Rural Expansion Act of 2026 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to designate a specific office to oversee its mobile medical unit program and conduct a nationwide inventory of these vehicles. The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assess the feasibility of mandating annual deployments of these units to rural or underserved areas to improve healthcare access for veterans. Additionally, it mandates a comprehensive report to Congress identifying gaps in current capabilities, staffing, and funding barriers, as well as strategies for better engaging local veterans service organizations to optimize deployment locations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill aims to improve healthcare access for veterans in rural areas by expanding mobile medical unit deployments and assessing feasibility of mandatory annual visits.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransThe bill directs the VA to expand mobile medical units to rural areas, explicitly aiming to improve healthcare access and identify service gaps for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

Sponsor Jacky Rosen (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 3, 2026

HR 10016: Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2026

The Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2026 establishes a three-year pilot program to provide grants to eligible veterans for starting or acquiring small businesses, franchises, or other qualifying enterprises. To receive funding, veterans must complete approved entrepreneurship training and submit a business plan that is reviewed and approved by an advisor before any money is disbursed. Grants are distributed in monthly installments over up to 12 months, contingent on the veteran meeting specific milestones outlined in their approved business plan. The program is limited to 250 recipients and requires geographic diversity among applicants, with a final report due two years after the program begins to assess its effectiveness.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides grants and training to help veterans start businesses, directly supporting veteran employment and economic stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Tags Small Business

Sponsor Ben Cline (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 30, 2026

HR 10012: Veterans Medicare Premium Transparency Act

The Veterans Medicare Premium Transparency Act requires Medicare to clearly explain how a veteran's enrollment in the Department of Veterans Affairs patient enrollment system affects their monthly insurance premiums. Under this bill, annual notices sent to Medicare beneficiaries will explicitly state that time spent in the VA system counts toward premium calculations and qualifies as valid prescription drug coverage. Additionally, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must post this explanation on the Medicare website and submit a report to Congress within 180 days detailing the updates and estimating how many veterans were previously paying higher premiums due to this lack of clarity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enhances transparency and clarifies coverage rules for veterans, protecting patient rights and improving access to Medicare benefits.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill clarifies VA enrollment benefits for Medicare premiums, protecting veterans from confusion and ensuring accurate coverage recognition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Prescription Drugs Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

Sponsor Roger Williams (R) · 2 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 5177: New Mexico Rural Veteran Health Care Access Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to redraw the boundaries of Veterans Integrated Service Network 17 within 180 days of enactment. The change specifically includes Otero County and Eddy County in New Mexico, ensuring these rural areas fall under the oversight of that network. By integrating these counties into the existing network, the legislation aims to standardize how rural veterans receive health care coordination and services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves access to healthcare for rural veterans by integrating counties into a Veterans Integrated Service Network.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill improves rural veteran healthcare access by expanding VA network boundaries to include underserved counties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

Sponsor Ben Ray Luján (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 3, 2026

HR 10037: Virtual-Based Opioid Treatment for Veterans Act

The Virtual-Based Opioid Treatment for Veterans Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to launch a two-year pilot program aimed at expanding access to virtual opioid treatment for enrolled veterans who face barriers to in-person care. This initiative requires the VA to conduct outreach, build referral networks, and coordinate with other federal agencies to connect veterans with telehealth programs that combine medication and counseling in a single visit. The bill also mandates a study on treatment barriers and requires annual reports to Congress on the program's progress until the opioid crisis is no longer considered a public health emergency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to virtual opioid treatment for veterans, improving patient access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands access to virtual opioid treatment and mandates VA outreach to improve veteran healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse Telehealth Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

Sponsor Deborah K. Ross (D) · 2 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9862: Responsible Artificial Intelligence for Veterans Act of 2026

The Responsible Artificial Intelligence for Veterans Act of 2026 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to hire an independent research center to evaluate artificial intelligence tools currently used or being developed for patient care within the Veterans Health Administration. This evaluation will focus on five specific high-risk systems to assess their safety, accuracy, fairness, and how well they integrate with existing medical workflows. The law mandates that the findings be reported to Congress within a year, followed by a detailed plan from the VA to address any identified risks or gaps in oversight. Additionally, a government auditor will review both the evaluation and the VA's response plan to ensure accountability, all without requesting new funding for the initiative.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates safety and accuracy evaluations of AI tools in patient care, protecting patient rights and improving healthcare system reliability.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates evaluation of AI tools to ensure safety, accuracy, and fairness, protecting veterans from harmful technology.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates evaluation of AI tools to ensure safety and accuracy in veteran healthcare, directly protecting and strengthening VA services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

Sponsor Gregory F. Murphy (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9865: Timely Electronic Health Record Transfers for Transitioning Servicemembers Act of 2026

This bill requires the Secretary of Defense to report on how quickly military members receive their electronic health records when leaving active duty. The report must cover a one-year period and include data on average wait times, the longest delays experienced, and reasons for any hold-ups. Following this report, the Defense Secretary must create new standards to ensure these records are delivered within a reasonable timeframe, a period to be determined based on the findings and feedback from service members and veterans. The legislation directly affects transitioning servicemembers by aiming to improve the timeliness of their medical record transfers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to electronic health records and establishes standards for timely record transfers during military transitions.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates reporting on and reducing delays in transferring electronic health records for transitioning servicemembers, improving access to veteran healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Healthcare

Sponsor Joe Neguse (D) · 3 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9864: Reducing Military Health Care Wait Times Act

This bill, known as the Reducing Military Health Care Wait Times Act, requires the Department of Defense to publish specific data on military medical wait times on its website. It directly affects service members, veterans, and their families by making information about appointment scheduling and referral speeds publicly available. The law mandates that the annual TRICARE Program Evaluation Report include the average number of days between booking and receiving an appointment, as well as the percentage of referrals processed within one business day. Additionally, it updates existing federal code to ensure these core performance metrics are consistently reported alongside other required data.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access by mandating transparency on military healthcare wait times.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill improves military healthcare transparency and wait times, directly benefiting veterans and service members.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

Sponsor Joe Neguse (D)

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9871: To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic, Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, as the "Sergeant First Class Floyd E. Lake Department of Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic".

This bill officially renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, to honor Sergeant First Class Floyd E. Lake. The primary change requires all future legal documents, maps, and records to refer to the facility by its new, longer title. This legislative action is purely commemorative and does not alter the clinic's operations, funding, or the services it provides to veterans.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors a veteran by renaming a VA clinic in his name, providing recognition and support to veterans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

Sponsor Stacey E. Plaskett (D)

Track