House bill · H.R. 3951 (119th Congress)

Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025

U.S. House of Representatives

Latest action Sep 16, 2025

Sponsor: Juan Ciscomani (U.S. Representative, AZ-6, Republican)

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From Congress.gov and official rosters. This record was last updated Aug 2, 2026. About our data

Summary

Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025 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. 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. The VA must report on its use of the expanded authority under this bill.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

Committee

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs · U.S. House of Representatives

Also referred to Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs · U.S. Senate.

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Cosponsors

Cosponsors listed on Congress.gov, shown A to Z.

Democratic2

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As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

Sep 16, 2025
In committee
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
U.S. House
Sep 16, 2025
Sent to the executive
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
U.S. Senate
Sep 15, 2025
Considered Under Suspension of the rules. (consideration: cr H4289)
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4289)
Sep 15, 2025
Considered Under Suspension of the rules. (consideration: cr H4289)
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4289)
Sep 15, 2025
Considered Under Suspension of the rules. (consideration: cr H4289)
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4289)

Show full history (29 earlier events)

Sep 15, 2025
Debate - the House Proceeded With Forty Minutes of Debate on H.R. 3951.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3951.
U.S. House of Representatives
Sep 15, 2025
Passed a chamber
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 15, 2025
Passed a chamber
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 15, 2025
Passed a chamber
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 15, 2025
Passed a chamber
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)
U.S. House of Representatives
Sep 9, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 215.
Sep 9, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 215.
Sep 9, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 215.
Sep 9, 2025
Reported out of committee
Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-259.
Sep 9, 2025
Reported out of committee
Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-259.
Sep 9, 2025
Reported out of committee
Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-259.
Jul 23, 2025
Committee vote
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jul 23, 2025
Committee vote
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jul 23, 2025
Committee vote
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jul 23, 2025
Reported out of committee
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Jul 23, 2025
Reported out of committee
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Jul 23, 2025
Reported out of committee
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Jul 3, 2025
In committee
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged
Jul 3, 2025
In committee
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged
Jul 3, 2025
In committee
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged
Jun 24, 2025
Hearing held
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jun 24, 2025
Hearing held
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jun 24, 2025
Hearing held
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jun 23, 2025
Referred to committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Jun 23, 2025
Referred to committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Jun 23, 2025
Referred to committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Jun 12, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
U.S. House of Representatives
Jun 12, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in U.S. House
U.S. House
Jun 12, 2025
Referred to committee
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
U.S. House of Representatives

Read the record

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