Veterans (Veteran Healthcare)

in committee · United States · House Apr 27, 2026

HR 8199: SCHEDULES Act of 2026

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to set a standard for how quickly veterans receive appointments after being referred for care, whether at VA facilities or through community providers. The VA Secretary must publish this standard in the Federal Register and report to Congress quarterly on how many referrals meet the timing requirement, broken down by service type and medical center performance. Each report must also include a ranking of VA medical centers from best to worst in meeting the standard, with data available to the public on a VA website. The VA must update the standard as scheduling processes change and include annual progress reports on steps taken to improve care timeliness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access by requiring VA to set appointment timing standards and report performance, strengthening healthcare delivery for veterans.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates VA to set appointment wait time standards and report performance, improving veterans' healthcare access and accountability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Sep 24, 2026

HR 8052: Veteran Infection Prevention Act

The Veteran Infection Prevention Act requires sterile processing technicians in the Veterans Health Administration to obtain certification from an accredited training institution within two years of their appointment, with some exceptions for entry-level positions. Current employees who are not yet certified will have two years from the bill's enactment to become certified, and those who choose to pursue certification will receive a scholarship to help cover training costs. In exchange for the scholarship, recipients must commit to two years of service with the Veterans Health Administration after receiving their certification. This legislation aims to improve infection prevention standards by ensuring all sterile processing technicians meet professional certification requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates certification for sterile processing technicians in VA healthcare, improving patient safety and professional standards in healthcare delivery.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates certification for sterile processing technicians in Veterans Health Administration, improving healthcare standards and providing scholarships for training, directly strengthening veteran healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 4229: SCHEDULES Act of 2026

The SCHEDULES Act of 2026 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to set a standard for how quickly veterans receive appointments after being referred for care, whether at a VA facility or through community providers. The VA must publish this standard in the Federal Register and on its website at least 30 days before implementing or changing it. The bill mandates quarterly reports to Congress detailing how many referrals meet the standard, broken down by care type and facility, along with an annual ranking of medical centers from best to worst in meeting the timing requirement. These reports must also include data on steps taken to improve care timeliness and estimates for full compliance. The legislation aims to increase transparency and accountability in scheduling appointments for veterans receiving care through the VA system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to healthcare by establishing appointment wait time standards for veterans, enhancing care efficiency and responsiveness.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill improves veteran healthcare access by establishing appointment wait time standards and requiring transparency through reporting.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 7976: Moral Injury Recognition and Restitution Act

This bill, known as the Moral Injury Recognition and Restitution Act, changes how the Department of Veterans Affairs handles compensation claims for veterans affected by military sexual trauma. It allows veterans who receive approved claims for mental health conditions or physical injuries caused by such trauma to receive back pay starting from the day after their military discharge rather than from the date their claim was filed. The legislation defines military sexual trauma according to existing legal standards and includes both mental health conditions and physical disabilities resulting from or worsened by the trauma. This change applies retroactively to eligible veterans who have already been approved for compensation benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands mental health compensation for veterans affected by military sexual trauma, improving access to healthcare benefits and financial restitution.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands VA compensation benefits for veterans affected by military sexual trauma by allowing back pay from discharge date instead of claim filing date.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 4197: Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act

The Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act establishes a grant program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to help state veterans agencies expand access to structured outdoor recreation programs. These grants, with a minimum of $200,000 per state, can be used to develop outdoor activities, partner with local providers, reduce costs for veterans, and coordinate with federal land management agencies. States must submit applications outlining their plans and report annually on participation numbers, veteran demographics, and observed well-being outcomes. The legislation authorizes $10 million annually in funding to support these initiatives aimed at improving physical and mental health through nature-based activities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds outdoor rehabilitation programs for veterans, addressing mental health and wellness through recreation, which supports healthcare access and services.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes grant program to fund outdoor rehabilitation programs for veterans, expanding access to structured recreation activities and reducing costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 4162: Get Justice-Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act

This bill establishes a pilot program to provide mental health care to incarcerated veterans, prioritizing those with service-connected disabilities related to PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma. The program would offer telemental health services, mobile mental health units, or other appropriate care at no cost to veterans, with care delivered exclusively by Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers. Additionally, the bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to establish dedicated housing units for veterans in federal correctional facilities where feasible, along with specialized training for correctional staff and veteran-focused rehabilitation programs. The legislation also mandates automatic resumption of disability compensation payments upon a veteran's release from incarceration and requires annual reports on incarcerated veterans to Congress.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides mental health care to incarcerated veterans, enhancing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through improved treatment programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes mental health care pilot program for incarcerated veterans with PTSD/TBI/sexual trauma, providing telemental health and mobile units at no cost through VA providers.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes pilot program providing free mental health care to incarcerated veterans with service-connected disabilities, delivered by VA providers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Apr 15, 2026

HR 8043: Vets CLEAR Act

The Vets CLEAR Act allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to deposit certain recovered funds into the Medical Care Collections Fund at the Secretary's discretion, with this authority set to expire on September 30, 2028. The bill expands the types of recoveries that can be deposited, including amounts collected through administrative, legal, or judicial processes related to medical care, services, or medication provided under VA programs. It also requires the Government Accountability Office to submit regular reports to Congress detailing the total amounts recovered and how the VA spent those funds, with reports due every 180 days during the authority's effective period. This legislation directly affects VA financial management and oversight by creating new flexibility in fund allocation while increasing transparency through mandated reporting.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands recovered funds for VA medical care, strengthening healthcare funding for veterans through the Medical Care Collections Fund.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands VA's ability to recover and deposit funds into the Medical Care Collections Fund, strengthening financial resources for veteran healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HR 8044: Get Justice-Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act

This bill establishes a pilot program to provide mental health care to incarcerated veterans with service-connected disabilities related to PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma, focusing on five facilities across different settings. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer telemental health services or mobile mental health units without charging copayments, while also creating a dedicated hub of VA health care providers for these veterans. Additionally, the bill mandates that federal prisons establish separate housing units for veterans where feasible and automatically resume VA compensation payments upon a veteran's release from incarceration. The legislation also requires the Bureau of Prisons to submit annual reports to Congress on data regarding incarcerated veterans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes pilot program for mental health care to incarcerated veterans with disabilities, providing telemental health services and mobile units without copayments, directly advancing healthcare access.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes pilot program for mental health care to incarcerated veterans with service-connected disabilities, providing telemental health services without copayments and creating dedicated VA provider hub.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 4220: Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act

This bill establishes a new Office of Novel Therapeutics within the Veterans Health Administration to prepare for the implementation of emerging mental health treatments, such as psychedelic-assisted therapies, that are currently under FDA review. The office will develop national clinical standards, create training programs for staff, and designate specific medical centers as centers of excellence to lead research and implementation efforts. It also requires the VA to submit an annual report to Congress on research activities, clinical outcomes, and workforce readiness, while coordinating with other federal agencies on regulatory and reimbursement issues. The legislation focuses on ensuring patient safety, maintaining evidence-based practices, and providing integrated care for veterans with conditions like PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes new office within VA to advance mental health treatments, develop clinical standards, create training programs, and designate centers of excellence for emerging therapies.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes new office within VA to develop mental health treatments and training, directly improving veteran healthcare access and services95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 8224: National Veterans Strategy Act of 2026

This bill requires the President to develop a National Veterans Strategy every four years to coordinate government, nonprofit, and private sector efforts aimed at improving veterans' well-being across health, economic, education, and social areas. The President must establish specific metrics to measure veteran success in these areas and consult with a wide range of stakeholders including federal agencies, state and local governments, veterans service organizations, and the general public. The bill also includes a provision allowing Congress to disapprove the strategy within 60 days of submission, and mandates annual reports on implementation progress along with quadrennial reviews to assess effectiveness and update the strategy as needed.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates creation of National Veterans Strategy to coordinate efforts improving veterans' well-being across health, economic, education, and social areas with stakeholder consultation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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