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Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer an annual preventive health evaluation to any veteran with a spinal cord injury or disorder who opts in. The evaluation must assess health risks, chronic pain, diet/weight, prosthetic needs and safety, and possible assistive technologies (including spinal cord neuromodulation). The VA must notify eligible veterans each year, consult experts and device manufacturers when issuing guidance, may provide telehealth support for assistive technology, include delivery of evaluations in VA network performance reviews, and report on program use and outcomes every two years.
The bill expands access to preventive evaluations, telehealth support, and a wider set of assistive technologies for veterans with spinal cord injuries—improving early detection and treatment options—but increases VA costs and raises risks of surgical complications, possible diversion of resources,及
Veterans with spinal cord injuries can receive an optional, no-cost annual preventive health evaluation that screens for risks (wound/infection, chronic pain, weight/nutrition), prosthetic and assistive technology needs, and enables earlier detection and management of complications.
Rural and mobility-limited veterans will have greater access to specialist follow-up through VA-provided telehealth training, programming, and remote monitoring for assistive technologies.
Veterans with spinal cord injuries gain assessment and potential access to a broader set of covered assistive technologies—including spinal cord neuromodulation and powered mobility devices—expanding treatment and mobility options.
The VA will produce an initial and biennial report and incorporate these evaluations into network performance reviews, improving transparency, measurement of program use, and accountability for delivery of spinal cord injury preventive care.
Expanding annual evaluations, telehealth services, and coverage for additional assistive technologies will raise VA program costs and could require reallocating resources away from other VA services.
Including implantable spinal cord stimulation and other invasive options may expose some veterans to surgical risks and complications associated with invasive procedures.
Emphasizing specialized assistive technologies and related programs could divert VA attention or funding from basic primary care, mental health, or social support services for some veterans.
Consulting with manufacturers when developing guidance risks conflicts of interest or policy influence that could favor industry perspectives over independent clinical judgment.
Designates the official short title of the Act as the "Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices Act" and provides the alternative short title "Veterans STAND Act".
Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish an annual preventative health evaluation (by direct care, referral, or VA telehealth) to any veteran with a spinal cord injury or disorder who elects to receive it.
Requires that the annual evaluation include assessments of (A) risks for health complications and comorbidities related to the spinal cord injury or disorder, (B) chronic pain and its management, (C) dietary and weight management, (D) prosthetic equipment needs, functioning, and safety, and (E) assistive technology suitability (including spinal cord neuromodulation), home use, training, programming, and remote follow-up.
Requires the Secretary to consult with spinal cord injury and disorder program managers, VA specialist clinicians, clinicians and technologists experienced in spinal cord neuromodulation therapies, and representatives of organizations recognized under 38 U.S.C. § 5902 when maintaining, prescribing, or amending guidance, rules, or regulations implementing this subsection.
Requires the Secretary to consult with manufacturers of assistive technologies and other relevant entities before issuing guidance, rules, or regulations that would directly affect those manufacturers or entities.
Directly affected: veterans with spinal cord injury or disorder will gain an offered annual preventive check focused on risks, pain, prosthetics, and assistive technologies, which can improve early detection of complications and expand access to technologies like neuromodulation. VA medical staff and administrators will need to implement annual outreach, perform the evaluations, incorporate guidance from consulted experts and manufacturers, and track/report outcomes every two years. VA networks must include delivery of these evaluations in performance reviews, which may require new workflows, training, and data collection. Device manufacturers and rehabilitation specialists may be more involved in guidance and telehealth support. The legislation does not specify new funding, so the VA may need to reallocate resources to meet the requirements, posing operational challenges. Telehealth provisions can improve access for rural or mobility-limited veterans, but successful reach will depend on VA capacity and veterans' access to telehealth technology.
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Veterans STAND Act
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced March 4, 2026 by Jerry Moran · Last progress March 4, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in Senate