House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), together with Subcommittee on Health Chairwoman Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.), Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), and Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-N.C.), has introduced a set of bills intended to modernize programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The initiative is part of a larger effort to reauthorize several VA programs that have not seen comprehensive review in three decades.
The proposed legislation targets several areas: VA healthcare delivery, the national drug formulary, facility leasing and construction, healthcare research, and procurement processes. Lawmakers say these reforms are designed to address bureaucratic hurdles that have limited effective service for veterans.
“It has been far too long since VA programs have been thoroughly reviewed and updated to meet veterans’ needs. I know that Secretary Collins and the Trump administration share that vision — because the days of simply accepting business as usual are over,” said Chairman Bost. “Last November, the American people expressed a clear desire to end the status quo and make the government – and specifically VA – work for the veteran taxpayers it serves. I firmly believe that to accomplish this, the Committee and Congress need to keep pushing VA forward to serve veterans better. The bills we are introducing today align with that mission, and I’m proud to support them.”
The first series of four bills will seek to update the VA’s National Drug Formulary so it aligns with broader industry standards; reform how new facilities are leased or constructed; modernize research processes; and overhaul contracting procedures within the department.
“Our veterans deserve timely, evidence-based access to the medications they need, no matter where they live or which VA facility they visit. This bill modernizes VA’s formulary system to make it more transparent, consistent, and patient-focused,” said Dr. Miller-Meeks.“By streamlining the approval process, strengthening clinical oversight, and improving procurement practices, we’re ensuring veterans get the right care, at the right time, with the best value for taxpayers.”
Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith addressed recent cancellations of planned facilities in Missouri as an example of why change is needed: “Veterans in southeast Missouri were rightly outraged when the VA cancelled long-awaited plans for a new facility in Farmington, Missouri, and we’ve now learned this is all too typical of the VA’s process on projects like this,” he said.“We can’t — we won’t — let the Department run out the clock on our nation’s heroes and cancel needed facilities with bureaucratic red tape. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Leasing and Infrastructure Act of 2025, which greatly reduces the amount of time the VA can tie up a project in a regulatory black hole. This legislation ensures the VA can focus on efficiency and providing the highest quality of care to those who served our nation.”
Rep. Jack Bergman pointed out that current procurement rules have not been significantly updated for more than 25 years: “It’s been more than a quarter century since Congress last updated VA’s procurement and contracting framework – despite the fact that these authorities shape how the Department purchases lifesaving medical technology and manages large-scale services that Veterans rely on every single day. Allowing such outdated practices to persist is not only a disservice to the Veterans we serve but also undermines Congress’s Article I duty to ensure federal agencies are accountable and responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” he stated.“This bill brings VA’s contracting framework into the modern era by improving how medical implants are acquired, streamlining billing for surgical procedures, and requiring congressional authorization before Department enters into any procurement or contract. These reforms will help ensure VA’s contracting practices put our Veterans first, and I’m proud to lead this long-overdue effort.”
Dr. Greg Murphy added: “The Department of Veterans Affairs conducts vital research in federal government but lacks centralized coordination efficient review oversight dependable timelines,” he said.“Our veterans deserve receive swift attention their healthcare needs however bureaucratic process often forces veterans wait unconscionable lengths time receive care The Research Reform Act will effectively modernize how funded research managed streamlining every stage process prioritize well-being veterans remove barriers timely care.”
POLITICO was first to report exclusively about Chairman Bost’s reauthorization plans.
