Veterans Prosthetics Advancement and Reform Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 2981 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2981

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

October 7, 2025

Mr. Moran introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

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A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Prosthetics Advancement and Reform Act''.

SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENTS TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROSTHETIC AND REHABILITATIVE ITEMS AND SERVICE.

(a) In General.--Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1709C the following new section: ``Sec. 1709D. Prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services formulary ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a list of prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services, which may be referred to as the `Prosthetic and Rehabilitative Items and Services Formulary' or the `Formulary', for purposes of furnishing medical services under section 1701(6)(F) of this title pursuant to section 1710 of this title. ``(b) Requirements.-- ``(1) Input.--In developing the Formulary, the Secretary shall solicit input from veterans and the public. ``(2) Availability of items.--The Secretary shall ensure that all items and services included in the Formulary are available at or through all facilities of the Department. ``(3) Items to be included.--In developing the Formulary, the Secretary shall rely on the best available evidence to identify which items and services should be included on the Formulary. ``(c) Publication and Communication.-- ``(1) Publication and update.--The Secretary shall publish the Formulary on a website of the Department and shall update the Formulary periodically. ``(2) Communication.--The Secretary shall communicate to veterans the contents of the Formulary and information about how to appeal decisions regarding the provision of items and services on the Formulary. ``(d) Contracts.--The Secretary shall enter into such contracts as the Secretary considers necessary to support the availability of items and services included in the Formulary. ``(e) Training.--The Secretary shall ensure the availability of training on the Formulary for clinicians and other staff of the Department. ``(f) Exceptions.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a process for clinicians of the Department to request, prescribe, and furnish prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services that are not included on the Formulary when medically necessary. ``(2) Monitoring of non-formulary items and services.--The Secretary shall monitor requests, prescriptions, and the furnishing of prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services under paragraph (1)-- ``(A) to ensure that such items and services are being consistently and appropriately prescribed at all facilities of the Department; and ``(B) to determine whether such items or services should be added to the Formulary. ``(g) Consideration.--In developing the Formulary, the Secretary shall consider how the approach of the Pharmacy Benefits Management Services of the Department for formulary management and medication safety can be adapted to support the efficient and effective administration of the Formulary.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1709C the following new item:

``1709D. Prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services formulary''. <all>