H.R. 7112

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7112 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7112

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out efforts to 
inform veterans of their rights with regards to the receipt of health 
care, benefits, and services furnished under provisions of law 
administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 15, 2026

Mrs. Miller-Meeks introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 
Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out efforts to 
inform veterans of their rights with regards to the receipt of health 
care, benefits, and services furnished under provisions of law 
administered by the Secretary, 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' Bill of Rights Act of 
2026''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States has a solemn obligation, articulated 
by President Abraham Lincoln in 1865, ``to care for him who 
shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his 
orphan''.
(2) Veterans transitioning to civilian life from service in 
the Armed Forces deserve timely access to health care, 
benefits, and information, as well as respect, dignity, and 
transparency in all interactions with the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.
(3) The responsibilities of the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs require that veterans' rights be clearly codified to 
ensure accountability and consistent nationwide administration 
of benefits and services.

SEC. 3. VETERANS' BILL OF RIGHTS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out 
efforts to inform veterans of their rights with regards to the receipt 
of health care, benefits, and services furnished under provisions of 
law administered by the Secretary.
(b) Elements.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
ensure that veterans are aware of their rights with respect to the 
following:
(1) Access to va or va-authorized providers.--Veterans have 
the right to receive health care from the Department of 
Veterans Affairs or, when eligible under Federal law, from 
community providers authorized by the Department.
(2) Respect and dignity.--The right to be treated with 
courtesy, respect, and dignity in all interactions with 
personnel of the Department.
(3) Informed consent.--The right to receive clear, complete 
information about treatment options and to provide informed 
consent for care furnished under laws administered by the 
Secretary.
(4) Awareness of benefits.--The right to receive 
comprehensive, understandable information about benefits, 
programs, and services for which the veteran may be eligible or 
entitled under laws administered by the Secretary.
(5) Access to benefits.--The right to apply for benefits 
furnished under provisions of law administered by the Secretary 
at any time and to receive clear explanations from the 
Department regarding eligibility determinations concerning such 
benefits.
(6) Health care without retaliation.--The right to seek 
care or raise concerns without fear of stigma, retaliation, or 
adverse action from the Department.
(7) Privacy.--The right to the protection of personal 
information and medical records consistent with provisions of 
Federal law relating to privacy, protection of personal 
information, and medical records.
(8) Right to grievance redress.--The right to file 
complaints concerning services furnished by the Department and 
to receive timely, thorough investigation and resolution of 
those complaints.
(9) Transparent communication.--The right to clear written 
notification from the Department regarding the status of 
claims, benefits, and appeals filed with the Department.
(10) Appeal and fair hearing.--The right to appeal adverse 
decisions of the Secretary and to receive fair hearings from 
the Department within a reasonable time.
(c) Responsibilities.--The Secretary shall--
(1) integrate the rights described in subsection (b) into 
all Department of Veterans Affairs policies, directives, 
patient-facing materials, and employee training programs;
(2) ensure every employee of the Department receives annual 
training on such rights;
(3) prominently display such rights at all Department 
facilities and the website of the Department;
(4) in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of Labor, include a dedicated instruction module on 
the rights described in subsection (b) as part of the 
curriculum for the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) under 
section 1144 of title 10, United States Code;
(5) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, ensure that the rights described in subsection (b) 
are accessible through a prominent, dedicated feature within 
the official mobile application of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs and the eBenefits portal (or any successor personal 
benefits portal);
(6) require each Department medical facility to designate a 
patient advocate or ombudsman to conduct an annual internal 
audit to assess facility compliance with the rights described 
in subsection (b), including a review of veteran satisfaction 
surveys and the timeliness of grievance resolutions; and
(7) ensure that any written or electronic acknowledgment of 
a claim for benefits or an application for health care services 
includes a summary statement of the rights described in 
subsection (b), emphasizing the veteran's right to transparent 
communication and grievance redress.
(d) Rule of Construction.--The provisions of this section shall not 
be construed--
(1) to create a cause of action for damages or judicially 
enforceable rights beyond those already established under 
Federal law; or
(2) to alter statutory eligibility requirements for care or 
benefits furnished under laws administered by the Secretary.
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