Summary

Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to run a time-limited pilot giving enrolled veterans access to the SilverSneakers fitness program or a comparable evidence-based senior exercise program as part of VA health care. The pilot can be national or regional, lasts up to three years, and the VA must report to congressional veterans’ committees within 180 days after the pilot ends on participation, costs, health outcomes, and whether the program should continue permanently. The pilot targets veterans already enrolled in the VA patient enrollment system who meet participation rules the Secretary will set. The law establishes the pilot and reporting requirements but does not specify dedicated new funding or make the program permanent without a later decision based on the report.

• Creates a VA pilot to provide eligible enrolled veterans access to SilverSneakers or a comparable senior exercise program.
• Applies only to veterans enrolled in the VA patient enrollment system who meet participation criteria set by the Secretary.
• Pilot authority lasts three years and can be run nationally or regionally at the VA’s discretion.
• Requires a detailed VA report within 180 days after the pilot ends on participation, costs, health outcomes, and permanency recommendations.
• Does not specify new, dedicated funding or automatically make the program permanent.
• Focuses evaluation on physical fitness and chronic disease management outcomes.
• Gives the Secretary regulatory authority to set participation rules and select comparable programs.
• Implementation could involve VA contracting or program administration through existing VA health services.