Honor Our Promise to Veterans Act of 2025

Improved Appointment Timing: The bill mandates that non-urgent appointments be scheduled within seven days and urgent care appointments be completed within 48 hours (Section 101).

Better Access to Information: Veterans will be provided with information regarding current wait times and average driving times for various care options (Section 103).

Specialized Provider Awareness: A new rating program will identify community care providers who are "MST Aware," specifically trained in military sexual trauma and the treatment of women veterans (Section 112).

Workforce Training and Quality: The bill requires community care providers to complete specific training modules to ensure they are prepared to treat veterans (Section 114).

Career Advancement for Employees: The "Start and Stay at VA Program" provides scholarships and debt reduction to help employees move into shortage occupations (Section 221).

Infrastructure Support: The "Build and Maintain Department of Veterans Affairs Program" provides assistance for those pursuing education in essential maintenance and infrastructure roles (Section 222).

Improved Infrastructure Planning through Veteran Feedback: The bill requires the Department to collect the views and expectations of veterans regarding their medical facility needs and infrastructure preferences (Section 1(G)(i)). This ensures that the people actually using the services have a voice in how facilities are improved.

Enhanced Facility Resilience: The Secretary must submit a report assessing how mission-critical assets are at risk from extreme weather, such as flooding, wildfires, or hurricanes (Section s321(b)(1)). This focus on resilience helps protect the safety and continuity of care for veterans.

Targeted Support for Specialized Care: The legislation requires a report identifying infrastructure needs for specific groups, including women veterans, those with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, and memory loss (Section 323(a)(1)). This helps ensure that those with unique medical needs receive appropriate care environments.

Support for Research and Development: The bill mandates a report on the capital asset and information technology needs of the Department's research and development program (Section 325(a)). This can help maintain and advance the high-performing functions necessary for medical research.

Accountability and Oversight: By requiring the development of meaningful metrics and an internal dashboard, the bill aims to allow for sound decisions regarding construction, leasing, and maintenance (Section 314(a)(1)). This oversight is designed to track progress and improve performance for the benefit of veterans and their families.

Restrictions on Telehealth: The bill places specific limitations on when a veteran may seek care via telehealth through community care providers (Section 102).

Provider Liabilities: There are strict rules regarding a provider's liability and the potential for the government to recover funds if service agreements are breached (Section s 7699C-1 and 7699C-2).

Financial Risks for Participants: Individuals participating in educational assistance programs may be held liable for the cost of their education if they fail to maintain academic standing or fail to complete their period of obligated service (Section 7699C-1).

Potential Funding Gaps: The bill includes a requirement for the Secretary to provide a detailed justification if requested funding levels are less than what is authorized, identifying which projects will not be funded due to those lower levels (Section 316(d)(1)). This indicates that requested needs may not always be fully met by the available budget.

Risk of Infrastructure Vulnerability: The requirement to assess risks from flooding, wildfires, and extreme weather (Section 321(b)(1)) highlights that current mission-critical facilities may currently be at high risk, which could impact the safety of those using them.