PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Nov 4, 2021
Reform and Update Rural Access to Local Exams Act of 2021 or the RURAL Exams Act of 2021
This bill updates policies and procedures related to covered medical disability examinations provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its contractors. Under the bill, covered medical disability examinations are those that are required for purposes of adjudicating specified VA benefits.
First, the bill requires the VA to begin collecting data to improve veterans' access to covered medical disability examinations.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The VA must study rural veterans' access to covered medical disability examinations and submit a plan to improve access.
Additionally, the VA must ensure that contracts for the provision of covered medical disability examinations by contractors include specified elements. Specifically, such contracts must (1) include financial incentives to encourage timeliness in medical disability examination appointments for rural or housebound veterans, (2) include financial disincentives to encourage timeliness, and (3) require contractors to cooperate with inspections.
Finally, the VA must establish a program of periodic inspections of sites, locations, and facilities where medical disability examinations are provided by VA contractors.
People & committees
Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] · D–MT
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-544.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: May 29, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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