Bills · HR 5949
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5949Armed Forces and National Security
Rural Veterans Dental Care Act
INTRO NOV 7· LAST ACTION NOV 17
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it directly addresses a critical healthcare gap for many veterans living in remote parts of the country. Access to dental care is often limited in rural areas, and for veterans, this can be even more challenging if they rely on VA services that are located far away. Untreated dental problems can lead to serious health issues, pain, and reduce overall quality of life.
If this bill becomes law, it means that thousands of rural veterans could receive much-needed dental services without having to travel great distances, improving their health and well-being. If it doesn't pass, these veterans will continue to face barriers to accessing dental care, potentially worsening their oral health and contributing to broader health disparities.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a three-year pilot program, starting October 1, 2026, to provide dental care to veterans in rural and highly rural areas.
This creates a new initiative to address a long-standing healthcare access issue for a specific population of veterans.
PROVISION 02
Allows the use of mobile dental vans, modular clinics, and temporary structures to deliver care directly to these veterans.
These methods are crucial for overcoming geographic barriers and bringing services to underserved locations.
PROVISION 03
Prioritizes locations more than 75 miles from a VA dental clinic and with a high concentration of veterans with unmet dental needs.
This ensures the program focuses its resources on the areas and veterans most in need of expanded access.
PROVISION 04
Requires the VA to submit annual reports on the program's effectiveness, costs, and recommendations for its future.
These reports provide essential data for Congress to evaluate the pilot program and decide whether to expand or make it permanent.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Texas
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
29
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSNOV 17
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
NOV 7
Introduced in House
NOV 7
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 5949
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedNov 7, 2025
Last actionNov 17, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED NOV 7, 2025
House BillHR 5949Armed Forces and National Security
Rural Veterans Dental Care Act
INTRODUCED NOV 7, 2025· LAST ACTION NOV 17, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
