S. 2134

119 S2134 IS: Veterans Full-Service Care and Access Act of 2025
 U.S. Senate
 2025-06-18
 text/xml
 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
  II
  119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
  S. 2134
  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
  June 18, 2025
  Mrs. Shaheen  introduced the following
  bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
  A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that veterans in each of
  the 48 contiguous States are able to receive services in at least one full-service
  hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in the State or receive comparable
  services provided by contract in the State.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Veterans Full-Service Care and Access Act of 2025  .
2.
Availability of full-service hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in
  certain States or provision of comparable services through contract with other
  health care providers in the State
(a)
In general
 Chapter 17  of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after  section 1716  the following new section:
1716A.
Access to full-service hospitals in certain States or comparable
  services through contract
(a)
Requirement
With respect to each of the 48 contiguous States, the Secretary shall ensure that veterans in the State eligible for hospital care and medical services under section 1710 of this title may receive such hospital care and medical services at not fewer than one full-service hospital of the Veterans Health Administration located within the geographic boundaries of the State.
(b)
Rule of construction
Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to restrict the ability of the Secretary to provide enhanced care to an eligible veteran who resides in one State in a hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in another State.
  .
(b)
Conforming amendments to Veterans Community Care Program
Section 1703(d)(1) of such title is amended in subparagraph (B) by inserting  as of the date of the enactment of the  Veterans Full-Service Care and Access Act of 2025   before the semicolon at the end.
(c)
Clerical amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1716 the following new item:
1716A. Access to full-service hospitals in
  certain States or comparable services through contract.
  .
(d)
Report on implementation
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report describing the extent to which the Secretary has complied with the requirement imposed by section 1716A of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), including the effect of such requirement on improving the quality and standards of care provided to veterans.