Gluesenkamp Perez, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Improve Rural Veterans’ Access to Disability Claim Exams

Last week, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), along with Reps. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) and Don Davis (NC-01), introduced the bipartisan Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act to ensure that veterans living in rural communities have permanent, cross-state access to certified healthcare providers for their required disability claim exams.

In 2020, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act was signed into law, allowing certain exam providers to temporarily practice across state lines. Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez co-led the bipartisan VET MEDS Act with Rep. Ciscomani to extend this authority, which was signed into law as part of a larger Senate package in October 2023. However, this authorization is currently only available to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists, and expires in January 2026. 

The Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act would make this authority permanent and expand the categories of providers who can perform cross-state disability exams to increase access to care. The bill would also require the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a mechanism for providers to submit evidence that a veteran brings with them to the examination to the VA, 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. “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.”

“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. “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.” 

“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,” said Rep. Davis. “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.” 

This year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez again urged the VA to reopen a clinic in Lewis County, and she introduced bipartisan legislation to expand eligibility for rural veterans across Southwest Washington to get transportation to VA health facilities.

Full text of the legislation is available here.