SCHEDULES Act of 2026

This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to create a uniform standard for the maximum amount of time allowed between a care referral and the actual appointment date. This standard would apply to medical services provided both at VA facilities and through community care providers. Additionally, the VA would be required to publish these standards online and submit quarterly reports to Congress detailing the percentage of referrals that meet these timing requirements.

This bill primarily affects the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which is tasked with establishing and publishing new timing standards for medical appointments. The legislation also impacts veterans seeking healthcare services, as it regulates the scheduling process for care provided at VA facilities and through community providers. Additionally, the VA is required to provide reporting data to legislators to evaluate the agency's performance in meeting these standards.

• Establishment of appointment timing standards. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is required to create a standard timeframe for the period between a care referral entry and the actual appointment date. This standard applies to medical services provided both at VA facilities and through community care programs.
• Public disclosure of scheduling standards. The VA must publish the newly established timing standards in the Federal Register. Additionally, the information must be made available to the public on an official VA website.
• Quarterly reporting on referral performance. The VA is mandated to submit reports at least once per quarter detailing its performance regarding the new standards. These reports must include the specific number and percentage of referrals that successfully met the timing requirements.

The bill modifies the administrative procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by requiring the agency to establish and publish new performance standards for healthcare referral wait times. It also introduces new reporting requirements regarding the VA's adherence to these standards for both internal facility care and care provided through the community.

The bill aims to improve the transparency and efficiency of veterans' healthcare by requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish and publicly report on standardized wait times for medical appointments, whether provided at VA facilities or through community care providers.