This bill improves patient advocacy within the VA, particularly for veterans in rural areas, by ensuring care coordination, direct reporting lines for patient advocates, and comprehensive data tracking and reporting on patient issues.
Kevin Cramer
Senator
ND
The "Strengthening VA Patient Advocacy for Rural Veterans Act of 2025" improves the Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Patient Advocacy by requiring patient advocates to coordinate care for veterans in rural areas. It ensures medical center directors are included in the reporting chain for patient advocates. The Act also mandates an annual report on data from the Patient Advocate Tracking System to improve transparency and address common issues faced by veterans.
VA Bill Requires Dedicated Advocates for Rural Vets, Mandates Annual Issue Reports
This bill, the "Strengthening VA Patient Advocacy for Rural Veterans Act of 2025," aims to give veterans living in rural areas a clearer point of contact and better support within the VA healthcare system. It requires every VA medical center director to designate at least one existing patient advocate specifically to coordinate care for vets in rural and highly rural spots, particularly those using community clinics or the community care network far from the main facility.
Boots on the Ground: Getting Advocates Where They're Needed
Here's the core change: Section 2 adds a new requirement (subsection f) that VA medical centers must have a patient advocate focused specifically on rural veterans. Think about a vet living hours from the nearest VA hospital, getting care through a local clinic or a community provider. Navigating appointments, referrals, and follow-ups can be a headache. This bill says there needs to be someone whose job includes helping those specific veterans manage their care coordination. The idea is to use existing staff where possible, dedicating their focus rather than necessarily creating new positions across the board.
Following the Paper Trail & Chain of Command
The bill also tightens up reporting and oversight. First, it clarifies the reporting structure (subsection g), ensuring patient advocates report up the chain to the medical center director at some point. This aims to keep leadership directly connected to patient feedback. Second, it mandates an annual report (subsection h) based on data from the Patient Advocate Tracking System. This yearly summary, sent to Congress and VA network directors, has to break down common issues vets report, how long it takes to resolve them, and track compliments and complaints. This isn't just paperwork; it's about creating transparency on whether the system is actually addressing veterans' concerns effectively, especially those highlighted by the new rural advocates.