A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent and codify the pilot program for use of contract physicians for disability examinations, and for other purposes.

This bill makes permanent a program allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire outside physicians via contracts to conduct disability medical examinations for veterans applying for benefits. It requires these contract doctors to hold current, unrestricted licenses and not be barred from practice in any state, while ensuring exams remain within the scope of their contracted duties. The VA will cover costs through existing funding for benefits and must establish a system for transmitting new medical evidence from these exams. The bill terminates the previous temporary pilot program and mandates a congressional report within three years on the program's impact on exam costs, speed, and thoroughness.