Improving Access to Care for Rural Veterans Act

Key Points

• The bill requires every VA medical facility to partner with a healthcare provider in a rural area, aiming to bring care closer to veterans who live far from major VA hospitals.
• Partnerships can include telehealth, shared space and equipment, training, care coordination, and emergency services like transportation — giving the VA and local clinics flexibility in how they work together.
• Existing VA facilities have three years to comply. If a facility can't find a rural partner, the VA Secretary can grant a five-year waiver but must notify Congress at least 48 hours before it takes effect.
• Every two years, the VA must report to Congress on whether these partnerships are actually helping more rural veterans get care, including enrollment numbers and accessibility compared to previous years.
• The bill is bipartisan, introduced by Sens. Duckworth and Blackburn, and was reported out of committee — a sign of meaningful momentum in the legislative process.