Bill · S. 219· Senate(119-S-219)
Veterans Health Care Freedom Act
- Introduced
- 1/23/2025
- Last activity
- 5/21/2025 — Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.
- Sponsored by
- Marsha Blackburn
- Cosponsors
- - 8 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Veterans Health Care Freedom Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to improve veteran access to medical care. This program aims to provide eligible veterans the ability to choose their own health care providers within the covered care system. The pilot program will take place across a minimum of four Veterans Integrated Service Networks. Participants will be able to select primary care, specialty care, and mental health care providers. The Secretary must also provide information regarding costs, treatments, and provider selection to help veterans make informed decisions. If successful, certain provisions of the program are intended to become permanent requirements for veteran care.
Yes
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+8
The bill directly increases healthcare choice and flexibility for veterans through a new pilot program and permanent legislative changes.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+8
The bill enhances veteran benefits by providing greater autonomy in choosing primary, specialty, and mental health care providers.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+7
The bill expands access by allowing veterans to select providers within the covered care system regardless of their local network.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Choice in Care: The bill allows eligible veterans to elect to receive hospital care, medical services, and extended care services at any provider within the covered care system (Section 2, subsection c).
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Improved Access to Medical Facilities: Veterans can receive care at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities regardless of whether the facility is in the same Veterans Integrated Service Network where the veteran lives (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 1).
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Flexibility in Provider Selection: Eligible veterans participating in the pilot program may select any specialty care provider or mental health care provider within the covered care system (Section 2, subsections e and f).
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Specialized Primary Care Options: The Secretary has the authority to designate a specialty care provider as a primary care provider if it serves the health interests of the veteran, such as an endocrinologist for diabetes or a neurologist for Parkinson's disease (Section 2, subsection e, paragraph 2).
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Informed Decision Making: The Secretary is required to furnish veterans with information regarding eligibility, cost sharing, treatments, and providers so they can make informed decisions (Section 2, subsection g).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Additional Funding Provided: The Act specifies that no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the pilot program or the associated amendments, requiring the program to be carried out using amounts already made available to the Veterans Health Administration (Section 2, subsection k).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+8
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+8
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+7
- 4/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2025
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.
- 1/23/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana
Tommy TubervilleRepublican · Alabama
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi