Tucson Standard

U.S. Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20) have introduced legislation to expand the pool of providers eligible to conduct disability exams for veterans across state lines. The legislation, titled the Veterans Exam Expansion Act, aims to improve access to disability benefits for veterans by allowing dentists, podiatrists, and optometrists to perform these exams.

Rep. Ciscomani, who represents a district with over 70,000 veterans, highlighted the challenges faced by veterans in receiving their benefits and emphasized the need for a faster and easier process. He stated, "By expanding who and where our veterans can go for disability exams, it will be easier and faster for our veterans to get the disability benefits they rightfully deserve."

Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Ranking Member of the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, highlighted the importance of reducing barriers to benefits nationwide. She explained that by allowing VA-contracted medical providers to perform disability exams across state lines, more veterans will be able to quickly receive the benefits they have earned. She added, "This is especially crucial for veterans in rural and underserved communities who face limited access to medical care and examinations."

The legislation has received support from the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Jim Marszalek, DAV National Service Director, emphasized the need for VA-contracted examiners to see veterans regardless of state licensing requirements. He stated, "Extending this expiring authority and adding more medical professionals to the list for license portability will ensure the VA can serve more veterans, particularly those in rural areas."

Don Shepperd, a retired Major General in the U.S. Air Force and chair of Ciscomani's Veterans Advisory Council, expressed his support for the bill, stating that it makes sense to allow certified dentists, podiatrists, and optometrists to conduct VA disability and medical exams across state lines. He emphasized that this is not an expansion of benefits but rather provides veterans in rural areas near state boundaries with access to the benefits they deserve.

This legislation builds on previous efforts to extend the temporary provision for VA-contracted medical professionals to practice across state lines. Reps. Ciscomani and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) recently introduced bipartisan legislation to extend this provision for five years. The Veterans Exam Expansion Act is the fifth veteran-focused bill spearheaded by Rep. Ciscomani during his tenure in Congress, with two bills already passed in the House.

By expanding the pool of providers eligible to conduct disability exams for veterans across state lines, this legislation aims to improve access to disability benefits for veterans, particularly those in rural and underserved communities. The support from organizations like DAV and VFW highlights the importance of this legislation in reducing barriers to benefits and serving more veterans in need.

To learn more, click on this link: https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-cherfilus-mccormick-introduce-bipartisan-effort-expand-cross-state