United States military veterans living in rural areas would have permanent, cross-state access to certified healthcare providers for their required disability claim exams under legislation recently sponsored by U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ).
“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.
The congressman on June 12 introduced the Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025, H.R. 3951, alongside two original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA).
If enacted, H.R. 3951 would amend laws to improve the temporary licensure requirements for contract healthcare professionals who perform medical disability examinations for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), according to the bill’s text.
“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,” Rep. Ciscomani said.
Specifically, the bill would amend the Veterans’ Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 and the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, which allow certain exam providers to temporarily practice across state lines. Currently, this authority is only available to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists, and it expires in January 2026.
H.R. 3951 would make the authority permanent and expand the categories of providers who can perform cross-state disability exams to increase access to care, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Ciscomani’s staff.
The measure also would require the VA to establish a mechanism for providers to submit any evidence to the VA that a veteran brought to his or her exam, a process which is currently not in place.
“Veterans bravely served our nation but the unfortunate reality is that it can be hard to access examinations or VA specialists in many communities,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “This bipartisan bill will make … it less difficult for veterans to submit evidence to the VA that substantiates their benefits claims.”