Bill Summary
The "Rural Veterans Dental Care Act" is a proposed piece of legislation aimed at establishing a pilot program to provide dental care specifically to veterans living in rural and highly rural areas. Set to commence on October 1, 2026, the program will be managed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and is intended to address the dental care needs of veterans who may face significant barriers to access due to their geographic location.
The program will utilize various methods to deliver care, including mobile dental vans, containerized clinics at community-based outpatient facilities, and temporary setups at outreach events. Priority will be given to areas more than 75 miles from an existing dental clinic, regions with a high population of veterans with unmet dental needs, and those classified as rural or highly rural.
The pilot program will run until September 30, 2029, and the Secretary is required to submit annual reports detailing the number of veterans served, the locations of services, costs associated with each method, and recommendations regarding the future of the program. This initiative seeks to improve access to essential dental care for veterans in underserved areas.
Possible Impacts
The "Rural Veterans Dental Care Act" could affect people in several ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Improved Access to Dental Care:**
Veterans living in rural and highly rural areas often face significant barriers to accessing dental care due to distance, lack of transportation, and limited local healthcare resources. This pilot program would provide mobile clinics and outreach services, allowing veterans in these regions to receive essential dental care without having to travel long distances. This could lead to improved oral health outcomes and overall quality of life for these veterans.
2. **Targeted Support for Vulnerable Populations:**
The legislation prioritizes locations with a high concentration of veterans who have unmet dental needs, which can include those with low income, disabilities, or other challenges that hinder their ability to seek care. By focusing on these areas and populations, the program aims to address health disparities and ensure that vulnerable veterans receive the necessary dental services, thereby enhancing their health and wellbeing.
3. **Economic Impact and Job Creation:**
The establishment of mobile dental clinics and outreach programs may lead to the creation of jobs within the healthcare sector. This could include hiring dental professionals, administrative staff, and support personnel needed to operate the mobile clinics. Additionally, by improving the dental health of veterans, the program could potentially reduce long-term healthcare costs associated with untreated dental issues, benefiting both the veterans and the healthcare system as a whole.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5949 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5949
To establish a pilot program to furnish dental care to veterans who
reside in rural and highly rural areas.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 7, 2025
Mr. Tony Gonzales of Texas introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a pilot program to furnish dental care to veterans who
reside in rural and highly rural areas.
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 ``Rural Veterans Dental Care Act''.
SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM TO FURNISH DENTAL CARE TO VETERANS WHO RESIDE IN
RURAL AREAS.
(a) Establishment.--On October 1, 2026, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to furnish dental care to
veterans who reside in rural and highly rural areas (as determined by
the Director of the Office of Rural Health of the Department of
Veterans Affairs).
(b) Methods.--To carry out the pilot program, the Secretary may use
the following methods:
(1) Vans equipped with full diagnostic and treatment dental
equipment.
(2) Modular or containerized mobile dental clinics--
(A) at community-based outpatient clinics of the
Department; or
(B) rural health fairs.
(3) Tents or other temporary structures at outreach events
of the Department.
(c) Priority.--In selecting locations to carry out the pilot
program, the Secretary shall give priority to locations--
(1) located more than 75 miles from the dental clinic
operated by the Secretary;
(2) that have a high concentration of veterans with unmet
dental needs; and
(3) rural and highly rural areas (as such terms are used by
the Office of Rural Health of the Veterans Health
Administration) that have large populations of veterans.
(d) Duration.--The pilot program shall terminate on September 30,
2029.
(e) Reporting.--Not later than September 30 of 2027, 2028, and
2029, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the pilot
program. Such a report shall include the following elements:
(1) The number of veterans who received dental care through
the pilot program.
(2) Locations where the Secretary carried out the pilot
program.
(3) The costs for operating each method under subsection
(b).
(4) The recommendation of the Secretary whether to improve
or make permanent the pilot program.
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