H.R. 3400: the Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare Act

This bill, titled the Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare Act, aims to enhance healthcare access for veterans living in U.S. territories. Here is a detailed breakdown of what the bill proposes:

Short Title

The bill is known as the TRAVEL Act of 2025.

Assignment of Traveling Physicians

The bill proposes that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs be authorized to assign physicians, employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to serve as traveling physicians in U.S. territories. This will primarily include:

• American Samoa
• Guam
• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
• Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
• Virgin Islands of the United States
• Any other U.S. territories or possessions

Duration of Assignment

Traveling physicians can be assigned for up to one year. Their role will primarily focus on providing healthcare services to veterans in these territories at VA facilities.

Coordination of Care

While providing care, these traveling physicians are tasked with coordinating with non-VA medical providers. This is aimed at ensuring that veterans receive high-quality care and that their medical services are well-coordinated.

Compensation for Traveling Physicians

In addition to their standard pay, traveling physicians will also receive bonuses, specifically:

• A relocation bonus
• A retention bonus

The bonuses will be similar to those provided under federal pay guidelines, ensuring that physicians are incentivized to take these assignments.

Clerical Amendment

The bill also includes a clerical amendment, which involves updating the existing table of sections in the U.S. Code to reflect the new section concerning traveling physicians.

Overall Objective

The main goal of the bill is to improve access to crucial healthcare services for veterans who reside in U.S. territories, where such services may currently be limited or unavailable. By assigning traveling physicians, the bill aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of medical care for these veterans.

Relevant Companies

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