U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, announced that four bipartisan legislative measures he championed have advanced through committee. The bills received broad support from his colleagues on the panel.
“We must continue to honor those who have sacrificed for our country, and advancing these bills helps fulfill the promise we made to them,” said Boozman. “I am especially pleased that we passed my bipartisan effort to address a scheduling need at the VA by giving veterans the ability to easily make appointments for specialty care through one scheduling system.”
One key measure is the Improving Veteran Access to Care Act, which Boozman co-led with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH). The legislation seeks to establish a centralized platform for veterans using Department of Veterans Affairs health services, allowing multiple visits and appointments to be scheduled at once.
Other initiatives approved in committee include expanding the External Provider Scheduling Program (EPS) aimed at reducing wait times for medical appointments; the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act, which focuses on ensuring American-Jewish servicemembers’ headstones accurately reflect their religious affiliation; and the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025, intended to ensure veterans’ compensation and benefits keep pace with inflation.
The committee also passed legislation reauthorizing and expanding the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. This initiative, designed by Boozman and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), provides funding for mental health outreach within veteran communities. Lawmakers are seeking to extend this program before its scheduled expiration later this year.
“This program was created out of a dire need to improve community-based resources to address the veteran suicide crisis,” said Boozman. “I am pleased we are making progress on reauthorizing this important initiative to support the great work it is producing.”
All four bills will move forward for consideration by the full Senate.
