To amend title 38, United States Code, to include eyeglass lens fittings in the category of medical services authorized to be furnished to veterans under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes.
Summary
What This Bill Does
This bill expands the Veterans Community Care Program to include fittings for eyeglass lenses. It amends title 38's definition of covered medical services by inserting eyeglass lens fittings after optometric services. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must establish policies, procedures, and regulations so eligible veterans receiving community care under 38 U.S.C. 1703 can schedule an eyeglass lens fitting with a non-VA provider in geographic proximity to the veteran. Within 180 days after enactment, VA must report to Congress on implementation status, challenges, mitigation strategy, and assessed benefits for veterans.
Who Benefits and How
Veterans needing eyeglass lens fittings benefit because the service can be scheduled through eligible non-VA community care providers. Veterans living far from VA optical clinics benefit from the geographic-proximity scheduling requirement. Community optometry providers benefit from a clearer role in furnishing eyeglass lens fittings under VA community care. Congressional veterans committees benefit from a 180-day implementation report on status, challenges, and veteran benefits.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Department of Veterans Affairs community care staff must write policies, procedures, and regulations for eyeglass lens fittings. VA scheduling offices must support appointments with non-VA providers in geographic proximity to eligible veterans. Non-VA optometry providers must meet VA community care requirements when furnishing lens fittings. VA reporting staff must prepare the 180-day congressional report.
Key Provisions
- Adds eyeglass lens fittings to medical services authorized under the Veterans Community Care Program.
- Requires VA policies, procedures, and regulations for implementing the new community care service.
- Requires eligible veterans to be able to schedule nearby non-VA eyeglass lens fitting appointments.
- Requires a 180-day congressional report on implementation status, challenges, mitigation, and benefits.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Adds eyeglass lens fittings to medical services that veterans may receive from non-VA providers under the Veterans Community Care Program and requires VA policies, regulations, geographic-proximity scheduling, and a 180-day implementation report to Congress.
Key Policy Areas
Veterans, Health Care, Community Care
Primary Purpose
Adds eyeglass lens fittings to medical services that veterans may receive from non-VA providers under the Veterans Community Care Program and requires VA policies, regulations, geographic-proximity scheduling, and a 180-day implementation report to Congress.
Policy Domains
Resolution provisions
Identified Gains
- Veterans needing eyeglass lens fittings
- Veterans living far from VA optical clinics
- Community optometry providers
- Congressional veterans committees
Identified Costs
- Department of Veterans Affairs community care staff
- VA scheduling offices
- Non-VA optometry providers
- VA reporting staff
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Ms. Maloy (for herself and Mr. Van Orden) introduced the …
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in House
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Department of Veterans Affairs community care staff, VA reporting staff, VA scheduling offices
Veterans living far from VA optical clinics, Veterans needing eyeglass lens fittings
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology