Veterans Full-Service Care and Access Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4063
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-19: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-20T09:06:56Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Veterans Full-Service Care and Access Act of 2025 aims to guarantee that eligible veterans in each of the 48 contiguous U.S. states (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) have access to hospital care and medical services through at least one full-service hospital operated by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), a part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This ensures more equitable access to VA healthcare without restricting cross-state care options.
Key Provisions
- New Requirement for VA Hospitals: Adds Section 1716A to Chapter 17 of Title 38, United States Code, mandating that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs ensure eligible veterans (those qualifying for care under Section 1710) receive hospital and medical services at no fewer than one full-service VHA hospital within each state's borders.
- Flexibility for Cross-State Care: A "rule of construction" clarifies that this requirement does not limit the VA's ability to provide enhanced or additional care to veterans in neighboring states' VHA hospitals.
- Amendment to Community Care Program: Modifies Section 1703(d)(1)(B) of Title 38 by adding a reference to the date of enactment, which helps preserve the existing framework for VA contracts with non-VA providers for community-based care as it stood before the new law.
- Clerical Update: Inserts a new entry in the table of sections for Chapter 17 to reflect the added Section 1716A.
- Reporting Obligation: Requires the VA Secretary to submit a report to Congress within one year of enactment, detailing compliance with the new hospital access requirement and its effects on the quality and standards of veteran care.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a nationwide mandate for physical VHA hospital presence in every contiguous state, addressing potential gaps in states currently lacking a full-service VA hospital.
- Freezes the scope of the Veterans Community Care Program (which allows VA to contract with private providers) to its status at enactment, preventing automatic expansions that might conflict with the new in-state hospital requirement.
- This shifts focus from solely contract-based solutions to prioritizing VA-owned facilities, while maintaining options for contracted comparable services as implied in the bill's intent.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA may need to invest in new hospital construction, expansions, or facility upgrades in states without full-service hospitals, potentially increasing federal spending and administrative workload. The required report will inform future congressional oversight.
- On Citizens: Eligible veterans in underserved states could gain improved local access to specialized VA care, reducing travel burdens and enhancing health outcomes. Non-veteran citizens are unlikely to be directly affected.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses solely on domestic U.S. veteran services.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, particularly those in the 48 contiguous states eligible for VA healthcare, who may experience better access and continuity of care.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for implementation, including potential facility development and reporting to Congress.
- Congress: Gains oversight through the compliance report and holds authority to fund or adjust VA operations.
- State Governments: Indirectly affected, as VA hospital placements could influence local healthcare infrastructure and economies in rural or underserved areas.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens Title 38's framework for veteran healthcare access, potentially setting a precedent for mandating federal infrastructure in specific geographic areas. It avoids constitutional issues by focusing on federal spending and obligations to veterans under existing laws like the GI Bill and VA statutes.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under Article I to regulate federal benefits and spending for veterans, without infringing on states' rights, as it pertains to federal facilities.
- Political: Promotes equity in veteran services across states, which could appeal to bipartisan support for military families but may spark debates over VA budget priorities amid fiscal constraints. The one-year report ensures accountability, potentially influencing future appropriations or expansions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-19: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2025-06-20: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-06-20: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Veterans Full-Service Care and Access Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-20 — PDF (3 pages)