Veterans (Veteran Healthcare)

in committee · United States · House Jun 5, 2026

HR 9001: Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act of 2026

The Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act of 2026 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to run a two-year demonstration project evaluating the cost and effectiveness of covering FDA-cleared, over-the-counter hearing aids for eligible veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. To participate, veterans must be enrolled in the VA system, receive a clinical clearance from an audiologist, and have access to a smartphone or Wi-Fi to operate the devices. The project will compare these over-the-counter options against traditional prescription hearing aids at selected VA facilities and require the Secretary to submit interim and final reports on the fiscal impact and health outcomes. Additionally, the bill mandates a separate study by the Comptroller General to analyze the current coverage of hearing aids for veterans and provide recommendations for potential program changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands hearing aid coverage for veterans, improving access to essential health services and reducing out-of-pocket costs.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill directs VA to evaluate covering OTC hearing aids for veterans, expanding access to healthcare benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 16, 2026

S 4341: Faster Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Act of 2026

The Faster Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Act of 2026 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to use commercial building codes alongside or instead of federal codes when constructing or altering facilities, provided there are no legal conflicts. To test this approach, the bill mandates that the Department run at least three pilot projects each year from 2027 through 2031 using these commercial standards for various construction and leasing initiatives. Additionally, the Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress detailing how these codes were applied and the results of the pilot projects. This legislation aims to streamline the building process for VA facilities by adopting widely accepted industry standards such as those from the National Fire Protection Association and the International Code Council.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill aims to improve VA facility construction efficiency, enhancing veteran healthcare access and services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · United States · Senate May 18, 2026

S 4554: Renewing our PACT Act of 2026

The Renewing our PACT Act of 2026 expands disability benefits for federal employees who worked in foreign contingency operations after August 2, 1990, and were exposed to burn pits or other toxic hazards. It creates a legal presumption that specific diseases listed in the bill were caused by this exposure, meaning workers do not need to provide medical proof linking their illness to their time abroad to receive compensation. The Department of Labor is responsible for maintaining the official list of covered diseases, which must align with the list used by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Labor to submit a report to Congress within one year detailing how many eligible employees have filed claims under the new provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands disability benefits and creates a legal presumption for diseases caused by toxic exposure, strengthening healthcare access and compensation for affected workers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands disability benefits and creates a legal presumption for federal workers exposed to toxic hazards, directly strengthening worker protections and compensation.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands disability benefits and creates a legal presumption for diseases caused by toxic hazards, directly strengthening veteran compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Feb 5, 2026

HR 7411: Mammography Access for Veterans Act of 2025

The Mammography Access for Veterans Act of 2025 expands the Department of Veterans Affairs' telescreening mammography program by removing the "pilot" designation and extending its timeline until May 1, 2027. This legislation requires the VA to offer at least one mammography option - such as telescreening, full-service screening, or mobile units - in every state and Puerto Rico within two years of enactment. The bill also mandates that these services remain accessible to veterans with paralysis, spinal cord injuries, or other disabilities. Additionally, it allows the VA to continue expanding these services to facilities outside the current pilot group or in states where breast imaging is not yet available.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands VA mammography access, removes pilot status, and mandates services in all states, directly improving patient access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands VA telescreening mammography, mandates statewide access, and extends program timeline, directly strengthening veteran healthcare benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Apr 21, 2026

HR 8420: Veterans Legal Support Act of 2026

The Veterans Legal Support Act of 2026 authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide funding to university law school programs that offer legal assistance to veterans. This funding, totaling $10,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, supports legal clinics that help veterans with VA appeals, fiduciary appointments, benefits claims, and other civil, criminal, and family legal matters. The bill does not mandate specific outcomes but establishes a financial mechanism for law schools to expand their veteran legal services. It directly affects veterans seeking legal help and university law schools that operate such programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly authorizes $10M in annual funding for VA legal support programs, directly advancing the budget topic by increasing appropriations for essential services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides funding for legal clinics assisting veterans with civil, criminal, and family matters, enhancing access to justice and legal support.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides $10M annually to fund university law school programs, directly increasing educational resources and access for students.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill authorizes funding for legal clinics to assist veterans with appeals, benefits, and civil matters.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · United States · House May 12, 2026

HR 8763: TREAT PTSD VA Act

The TREAT PTSD VA Act authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide stellate ganglion block therapy to veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. To qualify for this treatment, a veteran must be enrolled in the VA patient system, have a confirmed PTSD diagnosis, and choose the procedure after receiving information about its risks and benefits from a qualified healthcare provider. The bill requires the VA to update its clinical practice guidelines within 180 days to include this therapy option and notify Congress of the changes. This legislation affects veterans seeking PTSD treatment and the VA medical facilities or contracted providers administering the care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes VA to provide PTSD treatment, expanding access to mental health services and strengthening care for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands VA healthcare access by authorizing new PTSD treatment options for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 4445: Veterans Protection from Fraud Act of 2026

This legislation amends federal criminal statutes to increase penalties for fraud targeting veterans. It introduces a new category that specifically covers crimes against targeted veterans of any age. The bill defines targeted veterans using existing standards from Title 38 of the United States Code. As a result, offenders who commit fraud against this group face stricter legal consequences under Title 18.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by increasing penalties for fraud against veterans, enhancing protection for a specific group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill strengthens legal protections against fraud targeting veterans, increasing penalties to safeguard this group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4487: Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026

Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Specifically, the VA must increase the amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients that is effective on December 1, 2026. The act requires the VA to publish the amounts payable, as increased, in the Federal Register. The VA is authorized to make a similar adjustment to the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who have not received compensation for service-connected disability or death.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates cost-of-living increases for veterans' disability and survivor compensation, directly expanding financial benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House May 12, 2026

HR 8764: TREAT PTSD TRICARE Act

The TREAT PTSD TRICARE Act authorizes the provision of stellate ganglion block therapy for active duty and reserve military members diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder who are enrolled in the TRICARE program. Under this legislation, eligible service members must receive informed consent regarding the risks and benefits of the procedure before it can be administered by a Department of Defense facility or a participating TRICARE provider. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Defense to update the VA/DoD clinical practice guideline within 180 days to include this new therapy option and its clinical indicators. These changes take effect 180 days after the bill is enacted, ensuring the treatment is integrated into official medical guidelines alongside its implementation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes new PTSD treatment (stellate ganglion block) for military members, expanding access to mental health services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill authorizes new PTSD treatment (stellate ganglion block) for military members in TRICARE, expanding healthcare access and benefits.95% confidence

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

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in committee · United States · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4527: Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2026

This bill updates the Department of Veterans Affairs' high technology program to include emerging fields like artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to help veterans find jobs in growing industries. It requires the VA, along with the Departments of Defense and Labor, to partner with private sector employers and schools to identify these new job opportunities and the specific training needed to fill them. The agencies must then prominently display this information on their websites and promote it to veterans during their transition from military service. Additionally, the law mandates that the list of relevant industries and occupations be reviewed and updated every quarter to reflect changing market demands, with the entire program set to expire in September 2027.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands job opportunities and training for veterans in emerging tech sectors, directly strengthening employment standards and workforce development.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly expands VA high-tech programs to include AI and semiconductors, promoting job opportunities in emerging technology sectors.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands VA high-tech programs to include AI and semiconductors, directly supporting veteran employment in growing industries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Artificial Intelligence Emerging Technology Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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