HR 3951
Passed a chamber
Expands the temporary authority for contract health care professionals who perform VA medical disability exams to cover any licensed professional who is not barred from practice in any State, and extends that authority to September 30, 2031.
Official title: Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025
Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions
House
Introduced
12-JUN-2025
Referred
12-JUN-2025
Approved by committee
23-JUL-2025
Reported
09-SEP-2025
On the calendar
09-SEP-2025
Passed
15-SEP-2025
Senate
Received
16-SEP-2025
- Covers health care professionals eligible for a Veterans Health Administration position under section 7402(b) of title 38 who hold a current, unrestricted license and are not barred from practicing in any State.
- Changes the sunset of the temporary authority from five years after enactment to September 30, 2031.
- Replaces the list of physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists with the broader term 'health care professionals.'
- Requires the VA Secretary to report to the Veterans' Affairs committees within 15 months on exam counts, costs, timeliness, legal adequacy, state locations, and plans to correct erroneous use.
Covers an older version. The newest CRS summary describes the bill as of "Introduced in House" (12-JUN-2025); the text has changed since (Engrossed in House, 15-SEP-2025).
CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Read it on congress.gov- Veterans' Affairs Committee (House)
- Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee
- Veterans' Affairs Committee (Senate)
Armed Forces and National Security
■ 2 D
2 Democrats