{"bill":{"id":"119-hr-3951","congress":119,"type":"HR","number":3951,"title":"Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025","originChamber":"House","introducedDate":"2025-06-12","sponsors":[{"bioguideId":"C001133","fullName":"Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]","party":"R","state":"AZ","district":6}],"cosponsorsCount":2,"latestAction":{"actionDate":"2025-09-16","text":"Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs."},"policyArea":"Armed Forces and National Security","subjects":["Congressional oversight","Health personnel","Licensing and registrations","Veterans' medical care","Veterans' pensions and compensation"],"actions":[{"date":"2025-09-16","text":"Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"Senate","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-09-15","text":"Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-09-15","text":"On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4289)","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-09-15","text":"Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4289: 1)","type":"Floor","chamber":"Library of Congress","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-09-15","text":"DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3951.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-09-15","text":"Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4289)","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-09-15","text":"Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-09-09","text":"Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 215.","type":"Calendars","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-09-09","text":"Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-259.","type":"Committee","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-09-09","text":"Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-259.","type":"Committee","chamber":"Library of Congress","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-07-23","text":"Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.","type":"Committee","chamber":"House committee actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-07-23","text":"Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held","type":"Committee","chamber":"House committee actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-07-03","text":"Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged","type":"Committee","chamber":"House committee actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-06-24","text":"Subcommittee Hearings Held","type":"Committee","chamber":"House committee actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-06-23","text":"Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.","type":"Committee","chamber":"House committee actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-06-12","text":"Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-06-12","text":"Introduced in House","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"Library of Congress","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-06-12","text":"Introduced in House","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"Library of Congress","hasVote":false}],"summary":"<p><strong>Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill extends and expands the pilot program under which certain non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care professionals may be contracted to provide disability examinations to veterans, regardless of the jurisdiction of their licensure, for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and care. Specifically, the bill (1) expands the types of health care professionals who may provide such examinations, and (2) extends the authority for such professionals to be contracted for this purpose through January 5, 2031.</p><p>Currently, such examinations may only be contracted to licensed non-VA physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, or psychologists. The bill expands the list to include qualified health care professionals who are eligible for appointment to specified positions in the Veterans Health Administration, including hospital or clinic directors, dentists, and pharmacists.</p><p>The VA must report on its use of the expanded authority under this bill.</p>","updateDate":"2026-02-23T17:05:48Z"},"markets":[],"stateBills":[],"meta":{"sources":["congress.gov"],"latencyMs":592,"ts":"2026-04-19T10:01:13.618Z"},"nextActions":{"inspect":[],"related":[{"description":"Search related legislation","method":"GET","url":"/api/public/query-gov?q=Rural%20Veterans%E2%80%99%20Improved%20Access%20to%20Benefits%20Act%20of%202025"}]}}