U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, announced that four bipartisan legislative initiatives he supported have advanced out of committee with strong backing from his colleagues.
“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.”
The Improving Veteran Access to Care Act, which Boozman co-led with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), was among the measures approved. The bill aims to create a centralized platform for VA health care scheduling, allowing veterans to book multiple visits and appointments at once.
Other measures backed by Boozman include legislation expanding the External Provider Scheduling Program (EPS) to help veterans find and schedule medical appointments more quickly. Another bill, the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act, seeks to ensure that American-Jewish servicemembers’ headstones accurately reflect their religious affiliation. The Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025 would adjust compensation and benefits rates for veterans so they keep pace with inflation.
Additionally, the committee approved legislation reauthorizing and expanding the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. This program was developed by Boozman and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) to fund mental health outreach in veteran communities. Lawmakers are working to extend this initiative before it expires at year’s end.
“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 now move forward for consideration by the full Senate.
