The Restore Veterans’ Compensation Act of 2026 prohibits the government from reducing disability compensation paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs for service members who previously received separation pay or severance benefits. For those receiving retired or retainer pay, the bill limits the repayment of any owed separation funds to a maximum of 25 percent of their monthly pension and requires a 90-day notice period before deductions begin. The legislation also mandates that the Secretary of Defense consult with affected members on repayment rates to prevent undue financial hardship and allows for waivers if repayment would cause significant economic difficulty.
The Mobile Medical Unit Rural Expansion Act of 2026 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to designate a specific office to oversee its mobile medical unit program and conduct a nationwide inventory of these vehicles. The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assess the feasibility of mandating annual deployments of these units to rural or underserved areas to improve healthcare access for veterans. Additionally, it mandates a comprehensive report to Congress identifying gaps in current capabilities, staffing, and funding barriers, as well as strategies for better engaging local veterans service organizations to optimize deployment locations.
This bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lubbock, Texas, as the "Lieutenant General Bernie Mittemeyer VA Clinic." It requires that all future federal laws, regulations, and official documents refer to the facility by this new name.
The Empowering States to Serve Veterans Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to share veterans' contact information with state veterans agencies at least quarterly for statistical analysis and outreach purposes. The bill strictly limits the shared data by excluding protected health information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and any financial or claims-related details. To protect privacy, the legislation mandates that veterans receive clear notice of this sharing and provides an accessible process for them to opt out at any time, which requires state agencies to immediately destroy any previously received data. State agencies must also implement federal-standard cybersecurity measures and demonstrate compliance before receiving any information.
The Veterans’ Earned Benefits Access Act of 2026 allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to recover separation, severance, and readjustment pay from service members who are receiving veterans' disability compensation. To manage this recovery, the bill authorizes deductions from monthly disability payments, with regulations ensuring that no more than 25 percent of a member's compensation is withheld in any given month. The legislation also establishes a process for service members to apply for a waiver if these deductions would cause them financial hardship. These provisions will take effect once final regulations are published and will apply to disability compensation paid on or after that date.
