Vasquez, Ciscomani Introduce Bipartisan Effort to Ensure Continued Access for Rural Veterans Seeking Disability Exams
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) introduced a new effort to ensure that rural veterans have continued access to certified health care providers for required disability claim exams.
“New Mexico is home to more than 144,000 veterans, and too many are facing obstacles to obtain their health care coverage. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Ciscomani to get our veterans the health care they deserve,” said Vasquez, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “I will always stand up for our veterans in rural areas to ensure they can have access to critical exams and other care – this bipartisan bill will do just that.”
The Veteran Medical Exams for Distant Areas (VET MEDS) Act would extend a provision for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) certified contractors to conduct exams across state lines. The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 allowed certain exam providers to practice across state lines, but the authority is set to expire in January 2024. The VET MEDS Act would extend the provision until September 2028, which is critical as tens of thousands apply for new benefits under the PACT Act. The legislation is co-led by Reps. Jerry Carl (R-AL-01) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03).
“With over 70,000 veterans in my district, I am committed to doing all that I can to ensure our veterans have access to convenient and high-quality care,” said Ciscomani, a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “This bipartisan legislation extends a commonsense provision to cut red tape that prevents our veterans from receiving the benefits they deserve."
The legislation is supported by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, AMVETS and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).
“With more veterans seeking the benefits they’ve earned, it’s imperative that VA contract examiners are allowed to see veterans regardless of state licensing requirements,” said DAV National Service Director Jim Marszalek. “Extending this expiring authority until 2028 ensures the VA can serve more veterans, particularly those in rural areas, by allowing examiners to work wherever needed. With more examiners seeing more veterans, the VET MEDS Act will also help reduce the VA claims backlog. DAV is proud to support this crucial legislation, and we thank Rep. Ciscomani for his leadership in introducing the bill.”
“The VFW supports the Veteran Medical Exams for Distant Areas (VET MEDS) Act that extends temporary authority regarding license portability to September 1, 2028,” said Quandrea Patterson, the Associate Director for the VFW’s National Legislative Service. “This allows the Veterans Benefits Administration to continue conducting exam appointments at a faster rate to the benefit of veterans. With well-developed procedures accompanied by proper oversight and clear guidance on the execution of this practice, the extension of license portability will be instrumental in the exam processing of PACT Act claims and all service-connected claims going forward. The VFW thanks Representatives Ciscomani, Vasquez, Carl and Gluesenkamp Perez for introducing this important piece of legislation.”
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