H.R. 9666House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

AIR CARE for Vets Act of 2026

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Updated July 16, 2026 at 2:37 PM UTC

The AIR CARE for Vets Act of 2026 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to start a pilot program that uses advanced four‑dimensional lung‑imaging software to detect respiratory disorders and lung disease in veterans receiving VA medical care. The VA will lease the software from a qualified developer, receive up to $5 million each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031, and must report on the program’s effectiveness after the pilot ends.

Key Provisions

The VA Secretary must establish a pilot program to use FDA‑approved 4‑D functional lung imaging software for diagnosing veterans’ lung conditions.
The VA will lease the software from an eligible developer, with the leasing authority lasting five years from the law’s enactment.
Funding of $5 million per year is authorized for fiscal years 2027‑2031 to cover the program’s costs.
A report evaluating the pilot’s effectiveness must be submitted to Congress no later than two years after the leasing authority expires.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

July 21, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 14, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

July 14, 2026

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

July 21, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 14, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9666

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 14, 2026

Mr. Ciscomani (for himself and Mr. Pappas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to use four-dimensional functional lung imaging software product to identify respiratory disorders and lung disease in veterans, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Advanced Imaging for Respiratory Care, Assessment, and Research Excellence for Veterans Act of 2026 or the AIR CARE for Vets Act of 2026.

Respiratory disorder and lung disease pilot program

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a pilot program to use an eligible software product to identify respiratory disorders and lung disease in veterans receiving medical services at facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(b)

Leases of lung imaging software products

The Secretary shall carry out subsection (a) by seeking to enter into an agreement with an eligible entity to lease an eligible software product to the Secretary.

(c)

Expiration of authority

The authority of the Secretary to enter into an agreement under subsection (b) shall expire on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(d)

Report

Not later than 2 years after the expiration of authority under subsection (c), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot program.

(e)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

(f)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

The term eligible entity means a developer of an eligible software product.

(2)

The term eligible software product means a four-dimensional functional lung imaging software product that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to evaluate lung function.

(3)

The terms facilities of the Department and medical services have the meanings given such terms in section 1701 of title 38, United States Code.