The POW Priority Care Act of 2025 ensures former prisoners of war receive the highest priority status for enrollment and extended care services within the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system.
Tim Walberg
Representative
MI-5
The POW Priority Care Act of 2025 ensures that former Prisoners of War (POWs) receive the highest enrollment priority for healthcare within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system. This legislation specifically amends existing law to place former POWs first in line for VA enrollment and priority access to extended care services. These changes apply to all qualifying former POWs, regardless of when they were identified.
POW Priority Care Act Mandates Highest VA Enrollment Status for Former Prisoners of War
The newly proposed POW Priority Care Act of 2025 is short, direct, and has one clear goal: making sure former Prisoners of War (POWs) get the absolute fastest track into the VA health care system. If you’re a veteran designated as a former POW, this bill guarantees you the highest possible priority for enrollment and access to services, effective immediately.
The Fast Lane for Former POWs
This legislation updates existing law (Section 1705(a)(1) of title 38, U.S.C.) to explicitly place former POWs at the very top of the VA’s enrollment priority list. Think of the VA enrollment system like a queue at the DMV, only this bill gives former POWs a permanent, front-of-the-line pass. This isn't just about getting in the door; it also ensures that when it comes to extended care services (like nursing home care or specialized rehabilitation under Section 1710B(c)(2)(D)), former POWs are prioritized above all others.
Crucially, this change is retroactive. It applies to every veteran who has ever been identified as a former POW, regardless of when that designation was made. The intent is clearly to recognize the unique and severe hardships endured by this group by ensuring their healthcare needs are met without delay.
The Real-World Trade-Off
For former POWs, this is a significant win, guaranteeing expedited access to essential care. For example, a 75-year-old former POW needing specialized long-term care would move ahead of veterans in lower priority groups seeking the same service. This is a clear legislative recognition of their service.
However, in policy, when you push one group to the front, the line gets longer for everyone else. While this bill is highly beneficial for former POWs, the practical challenge lies in the VA’s capacity. If the VA system is already strained, granting the “highest priority status” to one group—even a deserving one—could potentially mean longer wait times or reduced availability of services for other veterans who fall into lower priority categories. The bill is laser-focused on improving access for POWs, but it doesn't address the underlying resource allocation that might impact other veteran populations seeking care or enrollment.