Jodey Arrington (R-TX)
To establish certain requirements relating to wellness checks for the health and welfare of certain members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 11 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes requirements for wellness checks to monitor the health and welfare of certain members of the Armed Forces. It mandates that the Secretary of Defense creates regulations to ensure checks occur when a member sustains a significant injury or illness or is on sick call. If electronic or telephone contact fails, the individual conducting the check must attempt an in-person meeting. Unit commanders are required to review critical information requirements and host confidential wellness meetings with medical officers. Additionally, the bill calls for the development of training courses to emphasize the importance of accountability regarding health and welfare.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill mandates wellness checks for service members following significant injury or illness to ensure their health and welfare are monitored.
- Scored +4
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill establishes proactive health and welfare oversight for service members facing significant medical issues.
- Scored +3
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
By mandating wellness checks for injured or ill service members, the bill helps ensure their medical needs are accounted for during their service.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Wellness Checks for Injured or Ill Members: The bill requires wellness checks whenever a member sustains a significant injury or illness or is on sick call, which accounts for the health and welfare of the member (Section 1(a)(1)).
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In-Person Contact Requirements: If a member does not respond to electronic or telephone communication, the person conducting the check must move to an in-person method to ensure contact is made (Section 1(a)(2)).
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Confidential Wellness Meetings: Unit commanders will host confidential meetings with subordinate commanders and medical officers to discuss significant injuries or illnesses affecting members (Section 1(c)(2)).
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Accountability Training: The development of training courses is intended to ensure members and civilian employees are aware of the importance of health and welfare accountability and the negative outcomes that occur when procedures fail (Section 1(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Procedures for Unlocated Members: If a member cannot be located during a wellness check, the individual must follow Department of Defense procedures for reporting the member as missing, absent unknown, absent without leave, or duty status-whereabouts unknown (Section 1(a)(3)).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill establishes proactive health and welfare oversight for service members facing significant medical issues. Would men be better off under this? — The bill provides increased oversight for the health and welfare of all service members, which includes men.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill mandates wellness checks for service members following significant injury or illness to ensure their health and welfare are monitored.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — By mandating wellness checks for injured or ill service members, the bill helps ensure their medical needs are accounted for during their service.
- 6/8/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/19/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/7/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/2/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jack BergmanRepublican · Michigan
Gilbert CisnerosDemocrat · California
Veronica EscobarDemocrat · Texas
Craig GoldmanRepublican · Texas
Anna Paulina LunaRepublican · Florida
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Addison McDowellRepublican · North Carolina
John RoseRepublican · Tennessee
Marilyn StricklandDemocrat · Washington
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Matt Van EppsRepublican · Tennessee