This bill establishes a new Office of Novel Therapeutics within the Veterans Health Administration to prepare for the implementation of emerging mental health treatments, such as psychedelic-assisted therapies, that are currently under FDA review. The office will develop national clinical standards, create training programs for staff, and designate specific medical centers as centers of excellence to lead research and implementation efforts. It also requires the VA to submit an annual report to Congress on research activities, clinical outcomes, and workforce readiness, while coordinating with other federal agencies on regulatory and reimbursement issues. The legislation focuses on ensuring patient safety, maintaining evidence-based practices, and providing integrated care for veterans with conditions like PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders.
This bill requires the President to develop a National Veterans Strategy every four years to coordinate government, nonprofit, and private sector efforts aimed at improving veterans' well-being across health, economic, education, and social areas. The President must establish specific metrics to measure veteran success in these areas and consult with a wide range of stakeholders including federal agencies, state and local governments, veterans service organizations, and the general public. The bill also includes a provision allowing Congress to disapprove the strategy within 60 days of submission, and mandates annual reports on implementation progress along with quadrennial reviews to assess effectiveness and update the strategy as needed.
This bill establishes a five-year pilot program to provide doula support services to pregnant and postpartum women veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The program aims to improve maternal, mental health, and infant care outcomes by training doulas to advocate for veterans alongside medical teams, with sessions occurring before, during, and after labor and delivery. The pilot will operate in specific Veterans Integrated Service Networks selected based on female veteran enrollment rates and will include targeted support for populations facing higher health risks, such as American Indian or Alaska Native veterans. Funding is authorized through fiscal year 2032, and the VA Secretary must submit annual reports on the program's impact to Congress, including recommendations on whether to expand the initiative.
The Copay Fairness for Veterans Act of 2026 would eliminate copayments for preventive health services received by veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs. This includes medications, hospital care, walk-in care, and services for survivors and dependents, as well as immunizations, screenings, and contraceptive services. The bill defines preventive services based on recommendations from established medical organizations and guidelines, ensuring coverage for evidence-based care. Changes would take effect 180 days after the law is enacted.
This bill, known as the RECOVER Act, directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to launch a three-year pilot program that awards grants to non-profit outpatient mental health facilities. The program aims to improve access to culturally competent, evidence-based mental health care for veterans by funding existing facilities or supporting the creation of new ones. To qualify, facilities must demonstrate at least three years of operation, submit detailed applications, and commit to training clinicians in culturally competent care. The legislation includes specific funding limits, requires equitable distribution between rural and urban areas, and mandates a final report to Congress detailing program outcomes and veteran demographics.
This bill makes permanent the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide treatment and rehabilitation services to seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans. It amends the United States Code by removing a temporary expiration clause that previously limited this program. The legislation directly affects veterans who face both mental health challenges and homelessness, ensuring they can continue receiving support without interruption. By codifying this authority into law, the bill removes the need for periodic renewal of the program.
This bill, known as the Veteran Artists Healing Act, would allow VA medical centers to directly purchase original artwork from veterans who are current patients. The program enables medical center heads to buy art without needing higher-level approval, provided the work is non-partisan and focuses on themes like recovery, nature, or service. Veterans must either have a clinical recommendation for creative arts therapy or a history of participating in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival to qualify. Each medical center can spend up to $2,500 per fiscal year on artwork from a single veteran, and the purchases would count toward small business contracting goals.
Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act of 2025 This act modifies the procedures by which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reissues misused benefits to a beneficiary, including by requiring the VA to establish methods and timing with respect to determining whether an instance of misuse by a fiduciary is the result of negligence by the VA. The act also provides that if a beneficiary predeceases a reissuance, the VA must pay the amount to a surviving beneficiary in the same method as certain other VA benefits are paid upon the death of a beneficiary. Under the act, the VA may not withhold the reissuing of a benefit payment by reason of a pending determination regarding the VA's negligence in relation to the instance of misuse by a fiduciary. Additionally, the VA is not required to make a determination regarding its negligence for each instance of misuse by a fiduciary of all or part of an individual's benefit paid to such fiduciary.
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.
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide annual preventative health evaluations to veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders who choose to participate. These evaluations will assess risks for health complications, chronic pain management, dietary needs, prosthetic equipment functionality, and access to assistive technologies like powered mobility devices and neuromodulation systems. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must consult with medical specialists and technology manufacturers when developing rules for these evaluations and must report annually to Congress on how many veterans receive these services and what assistive technologies are prescribed.
