I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8881 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to permanently authorize the perform-
ance of Department of Veterans Affairs disability examinations by non- 
Department physicians pursuant to contracts, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 28, 2024 
Mr. CISCOMANI (for himself, Ms. PEREZ, Mr. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida, 
Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina, and Mr. CARL) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to permanently au-
thorize the performance of Department of Veterans Af-
fairs disability examinations by non-Department physi-
cians pursuant to contracts, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Rural Veterans’ Im-
proved Access to Benefits Act of 2024’’. 
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SEC. 2. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR CONTRACT PHYSI-
CIANS TO PERFORM DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS DISABILITY EXAMINATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 51 of title 
38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after sec-
tion 5103A the following new section: 
‘‘§ 5103B. Performance of disability examinations by 
contract physicians 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—(1) A medical examination con-
ducted under section 5103A(d) of this title that is carried 
out through the Under Secretary for Benefits may be 
made by a person who is not an employee of the Depart-
ment in accordance with this section. 
‘‘(2) Any examination authorized under paragraph 
(1) shall be performed pursuant to a contract entered into 
between the Under Secretary for Benefits and that person. 
‘‘(b) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT HEALTH CARE PRO-
FESSIONALS.—(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law 
regarding the licensure of health care professionals, a 
health care professional described in paragraph (2) may 
conduct an examination pursuant to a contract entered 
into under subsection (a) at any location in any State so 
long as the examination is within the scope of the author-
ized duties under such contract. 
‘‘(2) A health care professional described in this para-
graph is a person who is eligible for appointment to a posi-
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tion in the Veterans Health Administration covered by sec-
tion 7402(b) of this title, who— 
‘‘(A) has a current unrestricted license to prac-
tice the health care profession of the health care 
professional; 
‘‘(B) is not barred from practicing such health 
care profession in any State; and 
‘‘(C) is performing authorized duties for the 
Department pursuant to a contract entered into 
under subsection (a). 
‘‘(c) SOURCE OF FUNDS.—Expenses of carrying out 
this section, including payments for examination travel 
and incidental expenses under the terms and conditions 
set forth by section 111 of this title, shall be reimbursed 
to the accounts available for the general operating ex-
penses of the Veterans Benefits Administration and infor-
mation technology systems from amounts available to the 
Secretary for payment of compensation and pensions. 
‘‘(d) MECHANISM FOR TRANSMITTAL OF EVIDENCE 
INTRODUCED
BY
APPLICATIONS
DURING
EXAMINA-
TIONS.—The Secretary shall establish a mechanism 
whereby a health care professional authorized to provide 
an examination under subsection (a) for an applicant for 
a benefit described in paragraph (1) of such subsection 
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can transmit to the Secretary evidence introduced by the 
applicant during such examination.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
after the beginning of chapter 51 of such title is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 5103A the 
following new item: 
‘‘5103B. Performance of disability examinations by contract physicians.’’. 
(c) TERMINATION OF PILOT PROGRAM.—The pilot 
program under section 504(a) of the Veterans’ Benefits 
Improvements Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–275; 38 
U.S.C. 5101 note) is hereby terminated. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than three 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a re-
port on the effect of the use of the authority provided by 
section 5103B of such title, as added by subsection (a), 
on the cost, timeliness, and thoroughness of medical dis-
ability examinations. 
Æ 
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