This bill makes permanent a program that allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to hire private physicians under contract to conduct disability examinations for veterans, rather than relying solely on VA employees. The legislation removes restrictions on where these contracted doctors can practice, allowing them to work across state lines as long as they hold valid medical licenses and meet other qualifications. This change is intended to improve access to benefits for rural veterans who may live far from VA facilities. The bill terminates an older pilot program that had previously tested this approach and requires the VA to report back to Congress within three years on how the expanded use of contract physicians affects the cost, speed, and quality of disability examinations. No specific funding amounts are allocated in the legislation, as costs would be covered through existing VA compensation and pension accounts.
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