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Rural Veterans Dental Care Act

USA119th CongressHR-5949| House 
| Updated: 11/17/2025
Tony Gonzales

Tony Gonzales

Republican Representative

Texas

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill establishes a pilot program, commencing October 1, 2026, to provide dental care to veterans residing in rural and highly rural areas , as defined by the Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Rural Health. This initiative aims to address the significant challenges veterans in underserved geographic locations face in accessing dental services. The program will utilize various mobile methods, including vans equipped with full diagnostic and treatment dental equipment , modular clinics at VA outpatient clinics or rural health fairs, and temporary structures at outreach events. Priority for selecting locations will be given to areas over 75 miles from existing VA dental clinics, those with a high concentration of veterans with unmet dental needs, and rural areas with large veteran populations. The pilot program will run until September 30, 2029, requiring the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress detailing its operations, costs, and recommendations for improvement or permanency.
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Timeline
Nov 7, 2025
Introduced in House
Nov 7, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Nov 17, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • November 7, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • November 7, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • November 17, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Armed Forces and National Security

Rural Veterans Dental Care Act

USA119th CongressHR-5949| House 
| Updated: 11/17/2025
This bill establishes a pilot program, commencing October 1, 2026, to provide dental care to veterans residing in rural and highly rural areas , as defined by the Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Rural Health. This initiative aims to address the significant challenges veterans in underserved geographic locations face in accessing dental services. The program will utilize various mobile methods, including vans equipped with full diagnostic and treatment dental equipment , modular clinics at VA outpatient clinics or rural health fairs, and temporary structures at outreach events. Priority for selecting locations will be given to areas over 75 miles from existing VA dental clinics, those with a high concentration of veterans with unmet dental needs, and rural areas with large veteran populations. The pilot program will run until September 30, 2029, requiring the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress detailing its operations, costs, and recommendations for improvement or permanency.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Nov 7, 2025
Introduced in House
Nov 7, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Nov 17, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • November 7, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • November 7, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • November 17, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Tony Gonzales

Tony Gonzales

Republican Representative

Texas

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted