Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ)· Introduced June 12, 2025

Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025

H.R. 3951 · House bill Armed Forces and National Security

A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors

Last activity September 16, 2025 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

In the other chamber's committee

Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.

The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.

Its path through Congress

Introduced
Passed House voice vote
In Senate committee

The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.

What this bill would do

This bill, known as the ``Rural Veterans' Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025'', aims to change how contract health care professionals perform medical disability examinations for the Department of Veterans Affairs. It amends existing laws to expand the definition of eligible health care professionals. These professionals must have a current and unrestricted license and not be barred from practicing in any State. Additionally, the bill delays a previous sunset date to September 30, 2031. Finally, it requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a detailed report to Congress regarding the use of this authority.

Yes· 3 of 5

Scored +6
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill improves veterans' healthcare by broadening the pool of professionals eligible to perform medical disability examinations and extending the program's duration.
Scored +6
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill facilitates easier access to medical disability examinations for veterans by expanding the types of licensed professionals who can perform them.
Scored +5
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill expands the definition of eligible health care professionals to improve access to medical disability examinations.

The opposite

No question was scored the opposite.

Who it would affect, and how

Potential Positive Impacts for People

Expanded definition of health care professionals: By replacing specific titles like physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists'' with the broader term health care professionals'' in Section 2(c), the bill allows for a wider range of experts to perform authorized duties. This change is intended to improve the temporary licensure requirements for those performing medical disability examinations (Section 2(a)).
Extended timeline for authority: The bill moves the sunset date to September 30, 2031, in Section 2(b), which extends the period during which these temporary licensure requirements can be used.
Increased oversight and accountability: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must submit a report to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives within 15 months (Section 2(d)). This report is intended to track the number of examinations, costs, timeliness, legal adequacy, and any errors in the use of this authority.

Potential Negative Impacts for People

No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed in the text provided.

Groups and Interests Ranking

Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.

Healthcare: Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill improves veterans' healthcare by broadening the pool of professionals eligible to perform medical disability examinations and extending the program's duration. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill expands the definition of eligible health care professionals to improve access to medical disability examinations.
Demographic And Interest Groups: Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill facilitates easier access to medical disability examinations for veterans by expanding the types of licensed professionals who can perform them. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The expansion of eligible health care professionals is intended to improve access to benefits, which often specifically benefits those in rural areas.
National Security And Foreign Policy: Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill enhances the administration of medical disability examinations which are vital to the veterans' benefits process.