119th (2025–2027)
S. 1533
S. 1533 would make permanent a program that allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to hire contract physicians and other licensed health care professionals to conduct disability medical examinations for veterans applying for VA benefits, replacing the current temporary pilot program. The bill would allow these contract health care workers to perform exams across state lines as long as they hold valid, unrestricted licenses in their profession and meet other eligibility requirements. Funding for the contract examinations would come from the VA's existing compensation and pension budget, and the bill requires the VA to establish a system for contract examiners to submit new medical evidence discovered during evaluations. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must report to Congress within three years on how the permanent program affects the cost, speed, and quality of disability examinations compared to the previous arrangement.