Ciscomani Reintroduces Bill Improving Rural Veterans' Healthcare Access

Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) is reintroducing legislation aimed at improving healthcare access to veterans living in rural areas.

The new bill builds upon the 2020 Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act, which allows specific medical exam providers to cross state lines for practice temporarily.

However, the original act is set to expire in January 2026 and only covers physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists.

Rep. Ciscomani's Rural Veterans' Improved Access to Benefits Act makes the provisions found in the previous act permanent. Additionally, it increases the scope of exam providers allowed to cross state lines and administer care temporarily.

"Allowing certified healthcare providers to perform required disability exams across state lines has proven to be successful in expediting veterans' claims, especially for those living in rural communities where access to care may be limited," said Rep. Ciscomani in his press release, adding, "Red tape should not stop our veterans from accessing care when and where they need it, which is why I am proud to lead this bipartisan effort to ensure veterans can receive care where they need, whether that means crossing state lines or crossing the street."

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WI), one of the bill's cosponsors, said, "Veterans bravely served our nation, but the unfortunate reality is that it can be hard to access examinations or VA specialists in many communities."

"Our VET MEDS Act was signed into law to extend improved access to VA-certified examiners in rural communities – and this bipartisan bill will make those changes permanent while making it less difficult for veterans to submit evidence to the VA that substantiates their benefits claims," Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez added.

Joining the Arizona and Wisconsin Congressmembers is Representative Don Davis (D-NC), who said, "Accessible compensation and pension examinations are critical for helping veterans obtain their disability benefits. Congress must act to eliminate long wait times, particularly in areas lacking licensed providers. The Rural Veterans' Improved Access to Benefits Act is a vital step forward, significantly enhancing our capacity to serve veterans, especially those in rural communities."

Ciscomani and Gluesenkamp Perez previously teamed up in February to introduce the Creating Opportunities for New Skills Training at Rural and Underserved Colleges and Trade Schools (CONSTRUCTS) Act, which creates a grant program to fund and develop residential construction education and certification programs in trade schools, junior colleges, and community colleges.