Bills · S 654
REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 654Veterans' medical careHealth care coverage and access
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an external provider scheduling program to assist the Department of Veterans Affairs in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes.
INTRO FEB 20· LAST ACTION DEC 2
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
3
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Reported, not passed
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because many veterans currently face long and frustrating wait times when trying to get medical appointments, especially when they need to see doctors outside the VA system. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to quicker scheduling and potentially faster access to care for veterans, reducing delays that can impact their health and well-being. Without this bill, the current, often inefficient, scheduling methods for community care would likely continue, meaning veterans might still experience significant delays in accessing necessary medical treatment.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the VA to develop or procure technology systems that allow its schedulers to view schedules of outside healthcare providers and book appointments in real-time for veterans.
This aims to create a more direct and efficient way to schedule appointments with non-VA doctors, cutting down on manual processes.
PROVISION 02
Mandates that these new systems be designed with the specific goal of reducing the time it takes for veterans to get an appointment scheduled and for VA staff to complete the scheduling process.
This provision directly targets the problem of long wait times for veteran healthcare, which is a major concern.
PROVISION 03
Allows the VA Secretary to use existing contracts or enter into new ones to obtain these necessary technology systems.
This provides flexibility for the VA in how it acquires the technology, potentially speeding up implementation.
PROVISION 04
Requires the VA Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress until September 30, 2028, detailing the progress made in establishing these new scheduling systems.
This ensures ongoing oversight and accountability for the VA's implementation of the program.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 3
R· Kansas
YRS IN OFFICE
29
BILLS LED
85
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 3 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
6 EVENTSDEC 2
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
DEC 2
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 274.
JUL 30
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
MAR 11
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-35.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 654
Congress119th
StatusReported
IntroducedFeb 20, 2025
Last actionDec 2, 2025
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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 20, 2025
Senate BillS 654Veterans' medical careHealth care coverage and access
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an external provider scheduling program to assist the Department of Veterans Affairs in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes.
INTRODUCED FEB 20, 2025· LAST ACTION DEC 2, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
3
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
