January 27, 2026
“Our veterans put their safety and lives on the line to protect our nation and freedoms, and we owe them a great debt.”
WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) today introduced the Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act. This bill would ensure veterans living in rural communities have permanent, cross-state access to certified health care providers for their required disability claim exams.
“Our veterans put their safety and lives on the line to protect our nation and freedoms, and we owe them a great debt. This bipartisan bill, which has already passed the House, will deliver rapid access to the care veterans in rural areas need and have earned. We need to fight for those who fought for us,” said Husted.
The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 allowed certain exam providers to temporarily practice across state lines. However, the authority 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 expand the types of health care professionals who may provide these examinations and extend the authority to contract for them through Jan. 5, 2031.
The Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act passed the House of Representatives on Sept. 15, 2025.
Full text of the bill is available here.