Sponsors (4)
The bill expands who can authorize veterans' supplies and services—improving timely access and care in underserved areas—at the cost of potentially uneven state-by-state access, increased need for clear federal oversight, and added administrative burden.
Veterans will get faster access to prescribed services, appliances, and supplies because nurse practitioners and physician assistants are authorized to order them without waiting for a physician.
Veterans and residents of underserved or rural communities will have improved local access to care because more clinicians (NPs/PAs) can issue orders where physicians may not be available.
Veterans will face fewer administrative delays and more streamlined delivery of supplies and services because expanding authorized prescribers reduces bottlenecks in ordering and approvals.
Veterans' access to and consistency of care may vary by state because differing state scope-of-practice laws can create geographic inequities in who may order supplies and services.
Patients and health systems could face inconsistent clinical oversight and potential safety or liability concerns if the implementing Presidential regulations are not specific or strictly enforced.
The Executive Branch and VA may incur additional administrative responsibility and implementation costs to issue and enforce new regulations, creating workload and budget impacts for federal and state systems.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Permits nurse practitioners and physician assistants to order services and supplies under the Health Care for Energy Workers statute when acting within State law and Presidential regulations.
Official title: Permit nurse practitioners and physician assistants to furnish necessary services, appliances, and supplies to individuals receiving medical benefits for illnesses.
Introduced June 25, 2025 by John Wright Hickenlooper · Last progress June 25, 2025
Allows nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe, recommend, or order services, appliances, and supplies under the existing Health Care for Energy Workers statute when they act within State scope of practice and follow Presidential regulations. The change expands who may furnish orders for covered care while preserving the President’s regulatory authority and the requirement that providers operate under State law.