Measuring Availability of Providers (MAP) for Veterans Act
- Bill Number
- S. 3280
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-20: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-19T17:31:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Measuring Availability of Providers (MAP) for Veterans Act aims to improve healthcare access for veterans in remote or underserved states by requiring a feasibility study for new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and ensuring that veterans in those states maintain eligibility for community-based care programs, even if new VA facilities are built.
Key Provisions
- Feasibility Study: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must conduct a study assessing the practicality of establishing a full-service VA hospital in Alaska, Hawaii, and New Hampshire. The results must be published on a public VA website within one year of the bill's enactment.
- Continued Community Care Access: The bill amends Section 1703(d)(1)(B) of Title 38 of the U.S. Code, which governs the Veterans Community Care Program. This program allows eligible veterans to receive care from non-VA providers in the community when VA facilities cannot meet timely access standards (e.g., due to distance or wait times). The amendment locks in the eligibility criteria for this program "as of the date of the enactment" of the MAP Act, specifically for states that establish a full-service VA medical facility.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The primary change is to the Veterans Community Care Program under 38 U.S.C. § 1703. By fixing the access criteria to the enactment date, the bill prevents future regulatory or statutory updates from reducing veterans' eligibility for community care in states that build new VA hospitals. This "grandfathering" provision ensures ongoing access without automatic loss of benefits tied to improved VA infrastructure.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA will need to allocate resources for the feasibility study, potentially including site assessments, cost estimates, and logistical planning. If hospitals are built, it could increase VA operational costs but reduce reliance on community providers in the long term.
- On Citizens: Veterans in Alaska, Hawaii, and New Hampshire—particularly those in rural or isolated areas—could gain better access to specialized VA hospital services. The preserved community care eligibility safeguards against disruptions in care options, benefiting approximately 100,000 veterans across these states (based on current VA enrollment data).
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. veterans' healthcare.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, especially in Alaska, Hawaii, and New Hampshire, where geographic challenges often limit VA access.
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for conducting the study and managing any resulting facilities or program adjustments.
- State Governments: Alaska, Hawaii, and New Hampshire may collaborate on hospital development, potentially sharing costs or infrastructure.
- Community Healthcare Providers: Could see sustained or increased reimbursements under the unchanged community care program.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The amendment to 38 U.S.C. § 1703 introduces a date-specific freeze on eligibility rules, which could limit the VA's flexibility in future reforms but provides legal certainty for veterans' rights to community care. This may invite challenges if interpreted as overriding broader VA rulemaking authority.
- Constitutional: No direct constitutional issues, though it aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I to direct federal agency actions on veterans' benefits.
- Political: The bill, introduced by bipartisan senators from the targeted states, highlights regional disparities in veterans' healthcare and could influence future VA funding debates. It promotes equity for underserved areas without mandating construction, keeping costs conditional on study outcomes.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-20: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Measuring Availability of Providers (MAP) for Veterans Act — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (2 pages)