Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Rural Veterans' Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2026, seeks to enhance the temporary licensure requirements for contract health care professionals who perform medical disability examinations for the Department of Veterans Affairs. It amends existing laws to clarify that eligible professionals must hold a current, unrestricted license, not be barred from practice in any state, and be performing duties under a VA contract. A significant provision of the bill extends the temporary authority for these licensure requirements, pushing the sunset date from five years after the 2020 Act's enactment to September 30, 2031 . Furthermore, it mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a comprehensive report within 15 months, detailing the use of this authority. This report must include information on the number, cost, and legal adequacy of examinations, disaggregated by professional and contract, as well as any errors in its application and plans for correction.