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S. 5629Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Gene Murphy Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026

A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit veterans to seek a second opinion after the receipt of health care under the laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes.

Sponsored by Mike RoundsSen. Mike Rounds (R-SD)
Introduced September 30, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated October 8, 2026 at 3:12 AM UTC

The Gene Murphy Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to let veterans obtain a second medical opinion after receiving VA health care. Veterans can ask for a referral either to another VA provider or to a qualified community provider, and the VA must cover any costs for that second opinion. The bill applies to all veterans who receive health care under VA-administered programs.

Key Provisions

  • Veterans may request a second opinion after receiving VA health care.
  • The VA Secretary must provide a referral to either another VA health care provider or a non‑VA community provider (including under the Veterans Community Care Program).
  • All costs for the second opinion are to be paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

September 30, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

September 30, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

September 30, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued September 30, 2026

II

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 5629

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 30, 2026

Mr. Rounds introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit veterans to seek a second opinion after the receipt of health care under the laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Gene Murphy Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026.

2.

Right of veterans to second opinion in receipt of care furnished by Department of Veterans Affairs

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that any veteran who receives health care under the laws administered by the Secretary may request a second opinion after the receipt of such care and the Secretary, upon such request, shall provide to the veteran—

(1)

a referral to another health care provider of the Department of Veterans Affairs; or

(2)

a referral to a non-Department provider in the community, including under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code.

(b)

Costs

All costs associated with providing a second opinion under subsection (a) shall be borne by the Department.