PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

Veterans ACCESS Act

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Official summary

Version 82 · Passed Senate without amendment · Nov 9, 2017

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Veterans Acquiring Community Care Expect Safe Services Act of 2017 or the Veterans ACCESS Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to deny or revoke eligibility to provide non-VA health care services to veterans for any any health care provider that: (1) was removed from VA employment for violating VA policy relating to the delivery of safe and appropriate health care, (2) violated medical license requirements, (3) had a VA credential revoked on grounds that impact the provider's ability to deliver safe and appropriate health care, or (4) violated a law for which a prison term of more than one year may be imposed.

Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.

Read full official summaryShow less

The VA may deny, revoke, or suspend a health care provider's eligibility to provide non-VA health care services based on a reasonable belief that such action is necessary to immediately protect the health or safety of veterans if: (1) the provider is under investigation by a state's medical licensing board, (2) the provider has entered into a settlement agreement for a disciplinary charge relating to the practice of medicine, or (3) the VA otherwise determines that such action is appropriate.

The VA shall suspend a health care provider's eligibility to provide non-VA health care services to veterans if such provider is suspended from serving as a VA medical provider.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI] · D–WI

Committees

  • Veterans' Affairs Committee
  • Veterans' Affairs Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  3. Received in the House.

  4. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  5. Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7166)

  6. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S7166)

  7. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7166)

  8. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7166)

  9. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.

  10. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

  11. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1153 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1153 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.1153 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.1153 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources