VHA OPEN Policies Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9510
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-29: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-09T15:24:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to publish all national policies of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) on a public website. The goal is to increase transparency and accessibility of VHA rules and procedures for the public.
Key Provisions
- Within 90 days of enactment, the Under Secretary for Health must post all current VHA national policies online.
- The required materials include:
- Directives
- Handbooks
- Memoranda issued by the Under Secretary
- Guidance and procedure guides needed to understand how policies are carried out
- Any new or revised national policies must be added to the website within 30 days of issuance.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill creates a new statutory requirement for the VHA to proactively publish its national policies. No prior law is amended; instead, the legislation adds an ongoing obligation for online availability and timely updates.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The Department of Veterans Affairs must establish and maintain a public website and ensure regular updates.
- Citizens: Veterans, their families, and the general public gain easier access to VHA policies without needing to submit formal requests.
- International relations: No direct effects are outlined.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans and their advocates who rely on VHA services
- VHA leadership and staff responsible for policy development and compliance
- The Department of Veterans Affairs as the implementing agency
- Members of Congress and oversight bodies interested in VHA operations
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill focuses on administrative transparency and does not alter individual rights, create new enforcement mechanisms, or raise apparent constitutional questions. It emphasizes public access to government information already in existence.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-29: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-06-29: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Veterans Health Administration Online Publication and Easy Navigation of Policies Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-29 — PDF (2 pages)