Darin LaHood (R-IL)
Boxing Therapy for Parkinson’s Access Act
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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 is called the "Boxing Therapy for Parkinson's Access Act". It requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide coverage for boxing-based exercise classes for veterans. These classes are for veterans enrolled in the health care system who have Parkinson's disease or a similar movement disorder. Services can be provided at Department facilities or through reimbursement for non-Department facilities. The changes would take effect 180 days after the Act is passed.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +9
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The legislation directly benefits eligible veterans by expanding VA health coverage to include boxing-based exercise therapy for movement disorders.
- Scored +8
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill improves veterans' healthcare by mandating VA coverage and reimbursement for specialized boxing-based exercise classes to treat Parkinson's disease and similar movement disorders.
- Scored +8
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill expands healthcare benefits for veterans by covering specialized boxing therapy for movement disorders.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Access to specialized exercise: Veterans with Parkinson's disease or similar movement disorders can receive boxing-based exercise classes for treatment (Sec. 2(a)).
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Flexible location options: Veterans can access these classes at Department medical facilities or get reimbursement for classes at non-Department facilities (Sec. 2(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for people were explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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 legislation directly benefits eligible veterans by expanding VA health coverage to include boxing-based exercise therapy for movement disorders. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Directly supports individuals dealing with degenerative movement disorders by funding specialized therapeutic exercise. Would retired people be better off under this? — Provides expanded medical care options for retired veterans experiencing age-related movement conditions. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Parkinson's disease primarily affects older adults, making this benefit particularly useful for older veterans. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Provides federally covered or reimbursed therapeutic classes, easing potential financial burdens for lower-income veterans. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Can benefit middle-aged individuals who have early-onset movement disorders and are enrolled in the VA. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Offers relief by covering specialized exercise programs for eligible veterans within these households.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill improves veterans' healthcare by mandating VA coverage and reimbursement for specialized boxing-based exercise classes to treat Parkinson's disease and similar movement disorders. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — It expands access to specialized therapeutic exercise programs for eligible veterans suffering from movement disorders.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill expands healthcare benefits for veterans by covering specialized boxing therapy for movement disorders.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — By supporting specialized physical therapy for individuals with degenerative movement disorders, it provides auxiliary support for those with physical disabilities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill places a new mandate on the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide specific medical coverage.
- 10/26/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/23/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 6/4/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Nikki BudzinskiDemocrat · Illinois
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Scott FranklinRepublican · Florida
Laura GillenDemocrat · New York
Lauren UnderwoodDemocrat · Illinois