House Panel Advances Bills to Expand Veterans’ Health Care Access

Today, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs subcommittee on health discussed 15 new bills under consideration, including measures addressing the neurological and mental health effects of military aviation service and improving access to health care in rural and underserved communities. ¹

The hearing was led by Rep Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R, Iowa), chairwoman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health. The discussion pinpointed gaps in veterans’ health care that each bill aimed to address. Of the 15 bills considered during the subcommittee hearing, 9 focused on expanding veterans’ access to health care and strengthening existing VA initiatives and programs to continue delivering value-based care.

“Every single one of these bills has one goal in mind: putting veterans at the front of every decision we make when it comes to their health care,” Meeks said during the hearing.

New Legislation Targets Mental Health, Neurologic Injury, and Rural Care for Veterans

The Warrior Impact from Neurological and G-Force Stress (WINGS) Act (HR 4805) would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to study the long-term physiological and psychological effects of military aviation on veterans.² During their careers, military aviators experience unique exposures to jet fuel and other substances, for which long-term effects data are limited.¹

“Significant questions remain about the long-term effects of those exposures on their health and well-being. This bill would help VA ensure that future policy and treatment decisions are informed by evidence,” Meeks said.

The proposed Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices (STAND) Act (HR 6835) would improve care for veterans living with spinal cord injuries and disorders.¹ The bill would offer eligible veterans annual preventative health evaluations and expand access to prosthetics and assistive mobility devices for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders.

The Travel Assistance for Veterans in Medical Deserts Act (HR 9316) would allow eligible veterans living in rural areas to receive reimbursements or allowances for health care services.³

“VA has the important responsibility of not only treating our veterans but also anticipating complications, preserving their independence, and ensuring they have access to the highest quality medical care available,” Meeks said.

In addition to the WINGS Act, the STAND Act, and the Travel Assistance for Veterans in Medical Deserts Act, Meeks also highlighted the Trauma Outreach, Understanding, and Resiliency through Spirituality (TOURS) Act (HR 9376) to target the high suicide rates among veterans.¹ An average of 17.5 veterans die by suicide every day, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which Meeks cited during her opening remarks.

Through this bill, the VA would study, compile, and report data from its chaplaincy services and faith-based programs to inform data collection improvements and resource allocations for suicide prevention.⁴

“This data would help VA replicate the areas where its mental health services are making a positive difference in the epidemic of veteran suicide,” Meeks said.

Although the legislation targets veterans, many of the proposed policies address broader issues in care coordination, behavioral health, and access that are relevant to managed care organizations. Nevertheless, they still address gaps in access to care, highlighting the potential to improve care through collaboration between policy makers, the VA, and managed care stakeholders.

“One of my reasons for being here is to ensure that every veteran has the chance to live with the dignity, purpose, and hope they have so justly earned through their service to our nation,” Meeks said, concluding her opening remarks at the hearing.

References

1. Health Chairwoman Dr. Miller-Meeks leads hearing on 9 GOP bills to improve mental health care, community care coordination for veterans. News release. House Committee on Veterans Affairs. June 30, 2026. Accessed June 30, 2026. https://veterans.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7936

2. HR 4805 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Wings Act. Congress.gov. October 22, 2025. Accessed June 30, 2026. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4805/text

3. HR 9316 – 119th Congress (2025-2026): Travel Assistance for Veterans in Medical Deserts Act. Congress.gov. June 15, 2026. Accessed June 30, 2026. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9316/text

4. HR 9376 – 119th Congress (2025-2026): Trauma Outreach, Understanding, and Resiliency through Spirituality Act. Congress.gov. June 18, 2025. Accessed June 30, 2026. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9376/text