ACE Veterans Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2943
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-18T15:27:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Access to Contraception Expansion for Veterans Act (ACE Veterans Act) aims to improve access to contraceptive options for veterans by requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide a full-year supply of certain contraceptives upon request, reducing the need for frequent refills and supporting reproductive health care.
Key Provisions
- Full-Year Supply Option: Veterans enrolled in the VA's annual patient enrollment system (under section 1705 of title 38, U.S. Code) who receive a prescription for contraceptive pills, transdermal patches (skin-applied), vaginal rings, or other contraceptive products from a VA medical provider can choose to receive a full-year supply.
- Notification Requirement: VA medical providers must inform veterans about the availability of the full-year supply when prescribing these items.
- Definition of Contraceptive Product: The term includes any drug, device, or biological product intended to prevent pregnancy (or used for other health purposes) that has been approved, cleared, authorized, or licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under relevant federal laws, such as sections of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or the Public Health Service Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends chapter 17, subchapter II of title 38, U.S. Code (which governs VA medical care) by adding a new section 1720M specifically addressing full-year contraceptive supplies.
- Inserts this new section immediately after existing section 1720L and updates the chapter's table of contents to reflect the addition.
- This introduces a mandatory option and notification process not previously specified in VA law for these products, expanding beyond standard prescription refill practices.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA will need to update its prescription processes, inventory management, and provider training to implement full-year supplies, potentially increasing upfront costs but reducing long-term administrative burdens from frequent refills.
- On Citizens: Primarily benefits women veterans by simplifying access to contraceptives, which may improve adherence to treatment, reduce unintended pregnancies, and support overall health needs without additional clinic visits.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic VA healthcare.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Especially female veterans or those using contraceptives for health reasons, who gain easier access to extended supplies.
- VA Medical Providers and Staff: Required to notify patients and facilitate full-year prescriptions, affecting their workflow.
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for policy implementation, compliance, and potential resource allocation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens VA's role in preventive healthcare under existing federal authority (title 38, U.S. Code), aligning with FDA standards for product approval without creating new regulatory burdens. No conflicts with broader contraceptive access laws (e.g., Affordable Care Act provisions) are evident.
- Constitutional: Does not raise significant issues, as it pertains to federal benefits for veterans and equal access to healthcare services, consistent with Congress's authority over veterans' affairs.
- Political: Represents a targeted expansion of reproductive healthcare for veterans, potentially advancing equity in VA services; it was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators but focuses on non-controversial improvements to existing benefits.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-09-30: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Access to Contraception Expansion for Veterans Act — issued 2025-09-30 — PDF (3 pages)