S. 3988

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3988 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3988

To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to offer annual preventative health evaluations to 
veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder and increase access to 
assistive technologies, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 4, 2026

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

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to offer annual preventative health evaluations to 
veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder and increase access to 
assistive technologies, 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 Spinal Trauma Access to New 
Devices Act'' or the ``Veterans STAND Act''.

SEC. 2. PROVISION OF PREVENTATIVE HEALTH EVALUATIONS FOR VETERANS WITH 
A SPINAL CORD INJURY OR DISORDER.

Section 1706 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection:
``(d)(1) In managing the provision of hospital care and medical 
services under section 1710(a) of this title, the Secretary shall 
furnish (through direct provision of service, referral, or a telehealth 
program operated by the Department) a preventative health evaluation 
annually to any veteran with a spinal cord injury or disorder who 
elects to undergo the evaluation.
``(2) The evaluation described in paragraph (1) shall include the 
following:
``(A) An assessment of any circumstance or condition the 
veteran is experiencing that indicates a risk for any health 
complication related to the spinal cord injury or disorder, 
including a risk of comorbidities.
``(B) An assessment regarding chronic pain and, if 
applicable, the management of chronic pain.
``(C) An assessment regarding dietary management and weight 
management.
``(D) An assessment regarding prosthetic equipment, 
including which prosthetic equipment the veteran needs, how 
well any existing prosthetic equipment is functioning 
considering the needs of the veteran, and any safety concerns 
regarding the prosthetic equipment in use by or recommended to 
the veteran.
``(E) An assessment with respect to the provision of 
assistive technology, including spinal cord neuromodulation 
technology (such as non-invasive transcutaneous spinal 
stimulation), that could help maximize the voluntary motor or 
autonomic function, independence, or mobility of the veteran, 
including suitability of such technology for home use and need 
for training, programming, and remote follow-up.
``(3)(A) In maintaining, prescribing, or amending any guidance, 
rules, or regulations issued by the Department regarding the 
requirements set out in this subsection, the Secretary shall consult 
with--
``(i) the spinal cord injury and disorder program managers 
of the Department;
``(ii) clinicians employed by the Department as specialists 
in spinal cord injuries and disorders;
``(iii) clinicians and technologists with demonstrated 
expertise in spinal cord neuromodulation therapies, including 
non-invasive transcutaneous approaches; and
``(iv) representatives of organizations recognized under 
section 5902 of this title.
``(B) Before issuing any guidance, rules, or regulations regarding 
the requirements set out in this subsection, the Secretary shall 
consult with manufacturers of assistive technologies and other entities 
relevant to the provision of assistive technologies if the guidance, 
rules, or regulations would directly affect such manufacturers or 
entities.
``(C) The Secretary shall ensure, to the extent possible, that any 
veteran known by the Secretary to have a spinal cord injury or disorder 
receives information annually about the evaluation available under this 
subsection and the benefits to the veteran of choosing to undergo the 
evaluation.
``(4) As the Secretary determines clinically appropriate, the 
Secretary may provide training, programming, remote monitoring, and 
follow-up for assistive technologies through telehealth.
``(5) Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
the Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices Act, and every two 
years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
of the House of Representatives a report that includes the following:
``(A) For the period covered by the report--
``(i) the number of veterans who--
``(I) received hospital care or medical 
services from the Department and used an 
assistive technology;
``(II) received hospital care or medical 
services from the Department and were assessed 
for the provision of an assistive technology; 
and
``(III) received hospital care or medical 
services from the Department and were 
prescribed an assistive technology.
``(ii) for any assistive technology prescribed, an 
identification of the category of such technology, 
including spinal cord neuromodulation, and a summary of 
functional outcomes associated with the prescription of 
such technology, if available.
``(B) The year-to-year change (for the period covered by 
the report, including the two years immediately prior to year 
the report is submitted) in the percent of veterans with a 
spinal cord injury or disorder who received an evaluation under 
this subsection.
``(6) In reviewing the performance metrics of a Veterans Integrated 
Service Network for any year beginning after the date that is one year 
after the date of the enactment of the Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to 
New Devices Act, the Secretary shall consider the provision of 
evaluations under paragraph (1).
``(7) In this subsection, the term `assistive technology' means a 
powered medical device or electronic tool used to treat or alleviate 
symptoms or conditions caused by a spinal cord injury or disorder, 
including the following:
``(A) A personal mobility device, including a powered 
exoskeleton device.
``(B) A speech generating device.
``(C) A spinal cord neuromodulation technology, including 
non-invasive transcutaneous spinal stimulation using sensory 
(afferent) pathways, intended to improve voluntary motor 
function, autonomic function, independence, or quality of life.
``(D) As clinically appropriate, and consistent with the 
prosthetic and sensory aids policies of the Department, an 
implantable spinal cord stimulation system that is approved by 
the Food and Drug Administration.''.
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