S. 3653

119 S3653 IS: Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026
 U.S. Senate
 2026-01-15
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 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 3653  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   January 15, 2026   Mrs. Blackburn  (for herself,  Mr. Sheehy ,  Mr. Tillis , and  Mr. Tuberville ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Veterans' Affairs    A BILL
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out efforts to inform veterans of their rights with regards to the receipt of health care, benefits, and services furnished under provisions of law administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026  .
2.
Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
The United States has a solemn obligation, articulated by President Abraham Lincoln in 1865,  to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan .
(2)
Veterans transitioning to civilian life from service in the Armed Forces deserve timely access to health care, benefits, and information, as well as respect, dignity, and transparency in all interactions with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(3)
The responsibilities of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs require that veterans’ rights be clearly codified to ensure accountability and consistent nationwide administration of benefits and services.
3.
Veterans’ Bill of Rights
(a)
In general
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out efforts to inform veterans of their rights with regards to the receipt of health care, benefits, and services furnished under provisions of law administered by the Secretary.
(b)
Elements
In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that veterans are aware of their rights with respect to the following:
(1)
Access to VA or VA-authorized providers
Veterans have the right to receive health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs or, when eligible under Federal law, from community providers authorized by the Department.
(2)
Respect and dignity
The right to be treated with courtesy, respect, and dignity in all interactions with personnel of the Department.
(3)
Informed consent
The right to receive clear, complete information about treatment options and to provide informed consent for care furnished under laws administered by the Secretary.
(4)
Awareness of benefits
The right to receive comprehensive, understandable information about benefits, programs, and services for which the veteran may be eligible or entitled under laws administered by the Secretary.
(5)
Access to benefits
The right to apply for benefits furnished under provisions of law administered by the Secretary at any time and to receive clear explanations from the Department regarding eligibility determinations concerning such benefits.
(6)
Health care without retaliation
The right to seek care or raise concerns without fear of stigma, retaliation, or adverse action from the Department.
(7)
Privacy
The right to the protection of personal information and medical records consistent with provisions of Federal law relating to privacy, protection of personal information, and medical records.
(8)
Right to grievance redress
The right to file complaints concerning services furnished by the Department and to receive timely, thorough investigation and resolution of those complaints.
(9)
Transparent communication
The right to clear written notification from the Department regarding the status of claims, benefits, and appeals filed with the Department.
(10)
Appeal and fair hearing
The right to appeal adverse decisions of the Secretary and to receive fair hearings from the Department within a reasonable time.
(c)
Responsibilities
The Secretary shall—
(1)
integrate the rights described in subsection (b) into all Department of Veterans Affairs policies, directives, patient-facing materials, and employee training programs;
(2)
ensure every employee of the Department receives annual training on such rights;
(3)
prominently display such rights at all Department facilities and the website of the Department;
(4)
in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor, include a dedicated instruction module on the rights described in subsection (b) as part of the curriculum for the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) under section 1144 of title 10, United States Code;
(5)
not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, ensure that the rights described in subsection (b) are accessible through a prominent, dedicated feature within the official mobile application of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the eBenefits portal (or any successor personal benefits portal);
(6)
require each Department medical facility to designate a patient advocate or ombudsman to conduct an annual internal audit to assess facility compliance with the rights described in subsection (b), including a review of veteran satisfaction surveys and the timeliness of grievance resolutions; and
(7)
ensure that any written or electronic acknowledgment of a claim for benefits or an application for health care services includes a summary statement of the rights described in subsection (b), emphasizing the veteran’s right to transparent communication and grievance redress.
(d)
Rule of construction
The provisions of this section shall not be construed—
(1)
to create a cause of action for damages or judicially enforceable rights beyond those already established under Federal law; or
(2)
to alter statutory eligibility requirements for care or benefits furnished under laws administered by the Secretary.