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Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure veterans eligible for hospital care can access that care in every one of the 48 contiguous States either at least one full-service VHA hospital located in-state or through contracts with in-state health care providers offering comparable services. The measure preserves the Secretary’s ability to provide care in VHA hospitals located in other States, updates related Veterans Community Care Program text, and directs a report to Congress on implementation within one year.
Add new 38 U.S.C. §1716A requiring that, for each of the 48 contiguous States, the Secretary ensure veterans eligible for hospital care and medical services under 38 U.S.C. §1710 can receive such care at not fewer than one full-service VHA hospital located within that State. (Text specifies the geographic boundary must be within the State.)
Rule of construction stating that the requirement in subsection (a) shall not be construed to restrict the Secretary's ability to provide enhanced care to an eligible veteran in a VHA hospital located in another State.
Conforming amendment to 38 U.S.C. §1703(d)(1)(B): insert the phrase "Veterans Full-Service Care and Access Act of 2025" before the semicolon at the end of subparagraph (B).
Clerical amendment updating the table of sections at the beginning of the chapter by inserting a new item for the newly added section after the item relating to section 1716.
Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a report to Congress not later than one year after enactment describing the extent of compliance with 38 U.S.C. §1716A and the effect of the requirement on improving quality and standards of care provided to veterans.
Who is affected and how:
Veterans (primary beneficiaries): Veterans eligible for hospital care under existing law stand to gain improved local access to hospital-level services in their State. For veterans living in States that currently lack a full‑service VHA hospital, the requirement could mean either a new in‑State VHA presence or expanded contracting with local hospitals so veterans can obtain comparable care without traveling out of State.
Department of Veterans Affairs / VHA: The VA must assess current facility coverage, plan actions to meet the in‑state minimum in each contiguous State, and either modify facility deployment or expand contracting/partnerships. This will affect strategic planning, budgeting priorities, contracting offices, and workforce allocation. Because the provision does not appropriate funds, VA will need to identify resources within existing budgets or request future funding to implement any facility expansions or increased contracts.
Non‑VHA health care providers and state health systems: Hospitals and health systems in States without a full‑service VHA hospital may see new opportunities for VA contracts to provide comparable hospital services to veterans. That could increase revenue for participating providers and require alignment of credentialing, reporting, and care coordination with VA standards.
Geographic and equity impacts: The requirement targets improved access across the contiguous U.S., which could reduce travel burdens for veterans in underserved States. However, actual improvements will depend on VA implementation choices and resource availability; rural and remote veterans might require additional measures beyond a single in‑State hospital or contract to achieve meaningful local access.
Oversight and timeline: The one‑year report to Congress creates a near‑term accountability point; Congress and stakeholders will use that report to evaluate implementation plans and potential resource needs.
Limitations and risks:
Adds new section 1716A to chapter 17 of title 38 requiring that, with respect to each of the 48 contiguous States, the Secretary ensure that veterans eligible for hospital care under section 1710 may receive such care at not fewer than one full-service Veterans Health Administration hospital located within the State; includes a rule of construction permitting the Secretary to provide enhanced care in a VHA hospital located in another State.
Amends 38 U.S.C. 1703(d)(1)(B) by inserting the phrase 'Veterans Full-Service Care and Access Act of 2025' before the semicolon at the end of subparagraph (B).
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced June 18, 2025 by Jeanne Shaheen · Last progress June 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in Senate