119-HR3400

Bill is currently in: House
Path to Law
House Senate President

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3400

1. Short title
2. Department of Veterans assignment of traveling physicians to serve territories and possessions

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "the Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare Act" or the "TRAVEL Act of 2025".

2. Department of Veterans assignment of traveling physicians to serve territories and possessions

(a) In general - Subchapter I of chapter 74 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

7415. Traveling physicians

(a) In general - The Secretary may assign a physician appointed under section 7401 of this title to serve as a traveling physician for a period of not more than one year. A traveling physician shall provide health care to veterans residing in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and any other territory or possession of the United States at Department facilities located in such territories and possessions.

(b) Coordination of care - In providing care under this section, traveling physicians shall coordinate with non-Department medical providers to the extent necessary to ensure high quality and coordinated care for veterans receiving hospital care and medical services.

(c) Pay - In addition to pay under section 7431 of this title, the Secretary shall provide a relocation or retention bonus to traveling physicians under this section. A relocation or retention bonus under this subsection shall be substantially similar to a relocation or retention bonus offered under sections 5753 and 5754, respectively, of title 5, as the Secretary considers appropriate.

(b) Clerical amendment - The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7414 the following new item: