S 1533
Cleared committee
Makes permanent a pilot program that lets the Department of Veterans Affairs hire outside contract health care professionals to perform disability examinations for veterans' benefit claims, and writes that authority into federal law.
Official title: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent and codify the pilot program for use of contract physicians for disability examinations, and for other purposes.
Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions
Senate
Introduced
30-APR-2025
Referred
30-APR-2025
Approved by committee
30-JUL-2025
- Adds a new section 5103B to title 38 allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to use contract clinicians for medical disability examinations of benefit applicants.
- Lets contracted professionals with an unrestricted license and no bar to practice in any state perform examinations at any location in any state, regardless of state licensure rules.
- Requires the Secretary to set up a way for contract clinicians to forward new and material medical evidence that applicants introduce during an examination.
- Ends the existing pilot program under the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 and requires a report to Congress within 3 years on its effect on cost, timeliness, and thoroughness of examinations.
No CRS summary yet. CRS writes one for most bills, often months after they move.
CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Check on congress.gov- Veterans' Affairs Committee (Senate)
Armed Forces and National Security
■ 1 I
1 Independent