Boxing Therapy for Parkinson’s Access Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9150
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-04: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T13:56:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9150: Boxing Therapy for Parkinson's Access Act
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill aims to expand veterans' access to specialized exercise classes as a treatment option for certain movement disorders by requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover boxing-based exercise classes for eligible veterans.
Key Provisions
- The bill adds a new section (1720M) to title 38 of the United States Code, directing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide boxing-based exercise classes to veterans who:
- Are enrolled in the VA health care system.
- Have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or a similar movement disorder.
- Choose to participate in the classes for treatment purposes.
- Classes may be offered directly at a VA medical facility or reimbursed if provided at a non-VA facility.
- The new coverage applies to medical services furnished on or after 180 days following the bill's enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This legislation introduces a new mandatory benefit under subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, expanding the scope of VA-furnished medical services to include boxing-based exercise classes for specific diagnoses.
- No other existing provisions are repealed or directly altered; the change is additive to current VA health care authorities.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The VA would need to develop or contract for these classes, including training staff or establishing reimbursement processes for external providers, which could involve administrative and resource adjustments.
- On citizens: Eligible veterans with Parkinson's disease or similar conditions would gain access to a covered therapy option at no additional personal cost through the VA system.
- On international relations: No direct effects are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or similar movement disorders who are enrolled in VA health care.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs, responsible for implementation and delivery of services.
- Non-VA facilities that may provide the classes and seek reimbursement.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill operates within established congressional authority over veterans' benefits under title 38, with no apparent conflicts with constitutional provisions such as those related to federal spending or equal protection.
- It represents an expansion of federal health care entitlements for a targeted veteran population, potentially raising future considerations around program costs and eligibility criteria.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-04: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-06-04: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Boxing Therapy for Parkinson’s Access Act — issued 2026-06-04 — PDF (3 pages)