Veteran Access to Neurosurgery Act of 2026

This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to run a five-year pilot program allowing certain neurosurgeons to negotiate higher payment rates for specialized surgical services provided to veterans through the Veterans Community Care Program. The program would focus on rural and highly rural areas where veterans currently face long wait times or must travel over 100 miles to access neurosurgery, permitting rate adjustments only when existing VA rates are insufficient to cover service costs. Under the bill, the VA must establish rules within 180 days of enactment and conduct annual reviews to ensure the program operates efficiently and effectively. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs would submit annual reports to Congress detailing the number of patients served, types of services provided, costs incurred, and health outcomes to evaluate whether the pilot should be extended or made permanent.