VISN Reform Act of 2025

Summary

Creates a new eight-region structure for the Veterans Health Administration by defining eight geographically based Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to consolidate existing VISNs into those eight regions within one year, and sets rules for VISN headquarters, staffing limits, Director appointments, and recurring reviews. It requires specific workforce reports and a right-sizing plan, limits headquarters staff size, requires clinical staff to work onsite at least one day per week, and mandates triennial structure reviews and congressional reporting.

• Statutorily establishes eight geographically defined VISNs and requires the VA to realign existing VISNs into those eight regions within one year.
• Each VISN must have one headquarters co-located with a VA medical center and is limited to 50 full-time employees plus up to 10 contractors (waiver available for one year).
• VISN Directors are presidentially appointed and require Senate confirmation as noncareer appointees.
• Secretary must submit a workforce right-sizing plan within 180 days and annual employment reports; VA has 3 years to meet workforce limits.
• Clinical staff are required to work in a VA medical center at least one day per week.
• The Secretary must review VISN structure every 3 years and report to congressional committees within 180 days of each review.
• The law prescribes specific VISN combinations for consolidation but does not provide new appropriations or explicit funding for implementation.
• Focus is on reducing duplicated functions, improving regional integration, and increasing congressional oversight of VISN staffing and organization.