Veterans SPORT Act
- Bill Number
- S. 3138
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-18: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-14T11:03:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Veterans Supporting Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreational Therapy Act (Veterans SPORT Act) aims to expand the medical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include specialized prosthetics for sports and recreational activities, enabling eligible veterans to participate more fully in these pursuits and support their overall rehabilitation and quality of life.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 1701 of Title 38, United States Code, which defines the medical services the VA Secretary must furnish to eligible veterans.
- Specifically modifies paragraph (6)(F)(i) to explicitly include "adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and other recreational activities" as part of the "artificial limbs" covered under VA benefits.
- Adaptive prostheses refer to customizable artificial limbs designed for specific activities, while terminal devices are attachments (like hooks or hands) at the end of a prosthetic limb.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Prior to this amendment, VA coverage for artificial limbs under Section 1701 focused on general medical and functional needs but did not explicitly mention adaptations for sports or recreation.
- This bill inserts clarifying language to broaden the scope, ensuring these specialized devices are recognized as essential medical services without requiring separate authorization or funding mechanisms.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA may need to update procurement processes, provider networks, and guidelines to supply these devices, potentially increasing administrative and budgetary demands but aligning services with modern rehabilitation practices.
- On Citizens: Eligible veterans, particularly those with limb loss from service-related injuries, gain access to prosthetics that promote physical activity, mental health, and social integration, reducing long-term healthcare costs associated with inactivity.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic VA benefits.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, especially those with amputations seeking active lifestyles.
- VA and Healthcare Providers: Responsible for implementing and delivering the expanded services, including prosthetists and rehabilitation specialists.
- Veterans' Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project or Paralyzed Veterans of America, which may support or monitor enforcement.
- Congress and Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through federal budgeting for VA services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens veterans' entitlement to comprehensive care under Title 38 by clarifying coverage, potentially reducing disputes over benefit denials; no challenges to existing statutes anticipated.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Article I, Section 8's congressional authority to provide for veterans' welfare, upholding equal protection for service members without raising due process concerns.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Senators Banks and King) signals broad support for veterans' issues; could influence future VA funding debates by emphasizing holistic rehabilitation over basic medical needs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-18: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 2025-11-06: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-11-06: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Veterans Supporting Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreational Therapy Act — issued 2025-11-06 — PDF (2 pages)