Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Credentialing Integration Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 6662
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Armed Forces and National Security
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-01-15: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Last Updated: 2026-04-15T08:05:41Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This legislation aims to integrate the medical credentialing and privileging processes between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Credentialing verifies the qualifications, training, and background of medical providers (doctors, nurses, etc.), while privileging grants them permission to perform specific treatments. The goal is to create a single, uniform system to improve efficiency, portability of information, and coordination between the two departments for better healthcare delivery to service members and veterans.

Key Provisions

Short Title: The Act is named the "Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Credentialing Integration Act of 2025."
Report Requirement: Within 120 days of enactment, the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Veterans Affairs, consulting with the Domestic Policy Council, must submit a joint report to the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs. The report covers:
Scope, scale, data types, portability, interoperability, risk management, adverse actions (e.g., disciplinary records), and governance of each department's current systems.
Limitations, gaps, and recommendations for scaling to achieve one unified system.
System Selection: By January 1, 2027, the Secretaries must jointly select one existing system from DoD or VA to serve as the uniform credentialing and privileging system for both departments, again consulting the Domestic Policy Council.
System Capabilities: The chosen system must support importing and sharing provider information between departments.
Implementation Certification: By January 1, 2028, the Secretaries must certify in writing to the relevant congressional committees that the system is fully implemented and operational.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a mandate for DoD and VA to unify their separate credentialing and privileging systems, which currently operate independently. It requires a comparative analysis and selection of a shared platform, promoting interoperability (seamless data exchange) where none is currently standardized. No amendments to prior laws are specified, but it builds on existing authorities by imposing deadlines and joint responsibilities.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: DoD and VA will face administrative changes to align systems, potentially reducing duplication and costs in verifying medical providers. This could streamline operations across military hospitals and VA facilities.
Citizens: Veterans and active-duty service members may benefit from faster access to care, as providers' credentials transfer more easily between systems, minimizing delays in treatment.
International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved DoD efficiency could indirectly support military healthcare in joint operations abroad.

Overall, the changes aim to enhance healthcare coordination without expanding budgets or services.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Primary: Department of Defense (including military healthcare facilities) and Department of Veterans Affairs (including VA hospitals and clinics).
Secondary: Medical providers (e.g., physicians, nurses) working for or with both departments, who will use the unified system for credentialing.
Oversight: Congressional Committees on Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs; Domestic Policy Council for consultation.
Beneficiaries: Veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families receiving care through these systems.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Establishes clear timelines and reporting duties, enforceable through congressional oversight, but includes no penalties for non-compliance. It promotes data sharing while implying privacy protections (e.g., via risk management for adverse actions).
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over military and veterans' affairs (Article I, Section 8), with no apparent conflicts to federalism or individual rights.
Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) signals broad support for improving inter-agency efficiency. It could set a precedent for further DoD-VA collaborations, potentially influencing future healthcare policy without partisan controversy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]

Cosponsors (14)

Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2]

Recent Actions

2026-01-15: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
2025-12-11: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-12-11: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-12-11: Introduced in House
2025-12-11: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Credentialing Integration Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-11 — PDF (4 pages)