What does Preamble of Veteran Access to Neurosurgery Act of 2026 do?

This bill mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program. The pilot program will focus on providing market-based rate adjustments to certain providers. These adjustments pertain to providers furnishing qualifying specialized surgical services. The services must be provided to veterans under the Veterans Community Care Program.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Veteran Access to Neurosurgery Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the 'Veteran Access to Neurosurgery Act of 2026'.

What does PILOT PROGRAM FOR MARKET-BASED RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR QUALIFYING of Veteran Access to Neurosurgery Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a pilot program to allow qualified providers to negotiate market-based rate adjustments for specialized surgical services under the Veterans Community Care Program. The pilot program will commence within one year of the Act's enactment and last for up to five years. The program must be implemented in at least two Veterans Integrated Service Networks with a large number of veterans in rural or highly rural areas. A qualified provider can receive a market-based rate adjustment if they demonstrate the adjustment is necessary, the current rate is insufficient, and the veteran lives in an area with limited access to such services (either through VA direct care or the Community Care Program, within a 60-day wait time or 100-mile distance). The Secretary must issue regulations to implement the program within 180 days of enactment. The Inspector General will review the pilot program annually to ensure compliance and effectiveness. The Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress detailing program activities, costs, outcomes, and policy recommendations. For the purposes of this section, a 'qualified provider' is a board-certified surgeon, 'qualifying specialized surgical services' are neurosurgery services, and the 'Veterans Community Care Program' is defined under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code.

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Veteran Access to Neurosurgery Act of 2026

Last updated: 3/18/2026 · Introduced: 3/18/2026

Author: Bill Cassidy (R-LA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a pilot program to allow qualified neurosurgery providers to negotiate market-based rate adjustments for services provided to veterans under the Veterans Community Care Program.
The pilot program will operate in at least two Veterans Integrated Service Networks with significant rural veteran populations and requires providers to demonstrate a need for adjustments based on limited access and insufficient current rates.
The Department of Veterans Affairs must annually report on the pilot program's activities, costs, and outcomes to Congress, while the Inspector General will conduct annual compliance and effectiveness reviews.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 1 more.

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