This bill establishes a three-year pilot program allowing enrolled veterans to choose any provider in the VA covered care system without current location-based restrictions. After four years, it permanently eliminates requirements limiting access to community care and allows veterans to receive care at any VA facility regardless of their service network. The bill significantly expands veteran healthcare choice.
Latest Action
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill establishes a three-year pilot program allowing enrolled veterans to choose any provider in the VA covered care system without current location-based restrictions. After four years, it permanently eliminates requirements limiting access to community care and allows veterans to receive care at any VA facility regardless of their service network. The bill significantly expands veteran healthcare choice.
Last updated: 1/4/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Veterans Health Care Freedom Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program to provide veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system with the ability to choose health care providers through the covered care system. Under the bill, the<em> covered care system</em> includes VA medical facilities, health care providers participating in the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP), and eligible entities or providers that have entered into a Veterans Care Agreement.</p><p>A veteran participating in the program may elect to receive care at any provider in the covered care system.</p><p>The pilot program removes certain requirements (e.g., location of the veteran) to access care at VA and non-VA facilities. After four years, the bill permanently phases out the requirements for accessing care under the VCCP and Veterans Care Agreements and requires the VA to provide such care under the same conditions of the pilot program. Additionally, after four years, veterans may receive care at a VA medical facility regardless of whether the facility is in the same Veterans Integrated Service Network as the veteran.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Three-year pilot program for expanded provider choice
Removes location-based restrictions on community care
Permanent phase-out of access requirements after four years
Veterans can use any VA facility regardless of service network
Includes VA facilities, community care, and Veterans Care Agreements
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This legislation represents a significant expansion of veteran healthcare choice, building on the Veterans Community Care Program framework. Veterans gain flexibility to seek care from preferred providers without bureaucratic barriers. However, the expanded choice model may affect VA facility utilization and budget planning. The pilot approach allows evaluation before permanent implementation.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Armed Forces and National Security
Related Subjects
Congressional oversight
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Hospital care
Veterans' medical care
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
219, 119th Congress (2025). "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-219