S. 3653: Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

The Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026 aims to enhance the awareness of veterans regarding their rights as they transition from military service to civilian life. It mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take steps to inform veterans about their rights concerning health care, benefits, and services administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Key Provisions

Rights Notification: The Secretary will inform veterans of their rights related to healthcare, benefits, and services.
Access to Providers: Veterans have the right to receive care from VA or authorized community providers.
Respect and Dignity: Veterans are entitled to be treated with respect and courtesy by staff at the VA.
Informed Consent: Veterans have the right to receive clear information about treatment and to give informed consent.
Awareness of Benefits: Veterans should be provided comprehensive information regarding benefits for which they may be eligible.
Access to Benefits: Veterans have the right to apply for benefits at any time and to receive clear explanations regarding eligibility determinations.
Healthcare without Retaliation: Veterans can seek care or express concerns without fear of negative consequences.
Privacy Rights: Protection of personal and medical information is guaranteed under federal law.
Grievance Redress: Veterans have the right to file complaints about services and receive timely investigations of these complaints.
Transparent Communication: Clear communication regarding the status of claims and appeals must be provided to veterans.
Appeal Rights: Veterans can appeal adverse decisions and are entitled to fair hearings from the VA.

Implementation Responsibilities

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will have several responsibilities to ensure the implementation of these rights:

Integrate the rights into all relevant VA policies and training programs.
Provide annual training on these rights to all VA employees.
Display the rights prominently in VA facilities and on their website.
Include information on veterans’ rights in the Transition Assistance Program for service members transitioning to civilian life.
Make rights accessible through VA mobile applications and benefits portals within six months of enactment.
Require VA medical facilities to have a patient advocate to assess compliance with the rights and review veteran satisfaction.
Provide a summary of the veterans’ rights when acknowledging claims or applications for care.

Limitations

The bill specifies that it does not create any new legal rights beyond what is already established under federal law or change eligibility requirements for benefits and care provided by the VA.