United States 119th Congress Status: In Committee 4 R cosponsors

S 654 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an external provider scheduling program to assist the Department of Veterans Affairs in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes.

Last action — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 274.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced February 20, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 22% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (4 R).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

This bill establishes within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) a national External Provider Scheduling Program to assist the VA in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP). The program must consist of technology that allows VA schedulers to view the schedules of health care providers participating in the VCCP in real time.The VA must ensure the program reduces the time (1) from referral to the actual scheduling of appointments for care or services, and (2) for VA schedulers to schedule appointments for care or services.The VA must also ensure the program is available to all VA medical centers by September 30, 2025.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

99 added · 50 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to S 654 removes the section regarding the reduction in wait times for veterans’ appointments in the External Provider Scheduling Program. It keeps the establishment of the program and its technological capabilities but eliminates the specific directive for the Secretary to ensure reduced wait times for scheduling appointments. This means that while the program still aims to help with scheduling, there is no longer a focus on reducing the time it takes for veterans to get those appointments.

→
Previous
Latest
654 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
654 Reported in Senate (RS)] <DOC> Calendar No.
274 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an external provider scheduling program to assist the Department of Veterans Affairs in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes.
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs December 2, 2025 Reported by Mr.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.
Moran, with an amendment [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an external provider scheduling program to assist the Department of Veterans Affairs in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes.
EXTERNAL PROVIDER SCHEDULING PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <DELETED>SECTION 1.
(a) Establishment.-- (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1703G the following new section:
EXTERNAL PROVIDER SCHEDULING PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.</DELETED> <DELETED> (a) Establishment.--</DELETED> <DELETED> (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1703G the following new section:</DELETED> <DELETED>``Sec.
``Sec.
External Provider Scheduling Program ``(a) In General.--There is established within the Department a national External Provider Scheduling Program (in this section referred to as the `Program') to assist the Department in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title.
External Provider Scheduling Program</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(a) In General.--There is established within the Department a national External Provider Scheduling Program (in this section referred to as the `Program') to assist the Department in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title.</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(b) Elements of Program.--The Program shall consist of technology that allows schedulers of the Department to view the schedules of health care providers participating in the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title and schedule, in real-time, appointments for care and services under such section.</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(c) Use of Contracts.--The Secretary shall carry out the Program through an existing contract entered into by the Department, if feasible, or a new contract.</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(d) Reduction in Wait Times.--The Secretary shall ensure that the Program--</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(1) reduces the time (measured in days) from referral of veterans to health care providers under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title to the actual scheduling of appointments for care or services under such section;
``(b) Elements of Program.--The Program shall consist of technology that allows schedulers of the Department to view the schedules of health care providers participating in the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title and schedule, in real-time, appointments for care and services under such section.
and</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(2) reduces the time (measured in days and hours) for schedulers of the Department to schedule appointments for care or services under such section.</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(e) Annual Report.--Not later than September 30 of each year through 2028, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the progress of the Secretary in establishing the Program.''.</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1703G the following new item:</DELETED> <DELETED>``1703H.
``(c) Use of Contracts.--The Secretary shall carry out the Program through an existing contract entered into by the Department, if feasible, or a new contract.
``(d) Reduction in Wait Times.--The Secretary shall ensure that the Program-- ``(1) reduces the time (measured in days) from referral of veterans to health care providers under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title to the actual scheduling of appointments for care or services under such section;
and ``(2) reduces the time (measured in days and hours) for schedulers of the Department to schedule appointments for care or services under such section.
``(e) Annual Report.--Not later than September 30 of each year through 2028, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the progress of the Secretary in establishing the Program.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1703G the following new item:
``1703H.
(b) Availability of Program.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the national External Provider Scheduling Program established under section 1703H of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), is available to all medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs by not later than September 30, 2025.
<DELETED> (b) Availability of Program.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the national External Provider Scheduling Program established under section 1703H of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), is available to all medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs by not later than September 30, 2025.</DELETED> <DELETED> (c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--</DELETED> <DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)(2)(A), by inserting ``, including pursuant to the program under section 1703H of this title,'' after ``medical appointments'';
(c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)(2)(A), by inserting ``, including pursuant to the program under section 1703H of this title,'' after ``medical appointments'';
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) in subsection (h)(2)(B), by inserting ``, including pursuant to the program under section 1703H of this title'' before the period at the end.</DELETED> SECTION 1.
and (2) in subsection (h)(2)(B), by inserting ``, including pursuant to the program under section 1703H of this title'' before the period at the end.
EXTERNAL PROVIDER SCHEDULING PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
<all>
Section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)(2)(A), by inserting ``, including pursuant to the systems required under subsection (q),'' after ``medical appointments'';
(2) in subsection (h)(2)(B), by inserting ``, including pursuant to the systems required under subsection (q)'' before the period at the end;
(3) by redesignating subsection (q) as subsection (r);
and (4) by inserting after subsection (p) the following new subsection (q):
``(q) Provider Scheduling.-- ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the program under this section, the Secretary shall develop or procure such technology systems as needed to allow schedulers of the Department to view the schedules of health care providers participating in the program and schedule, in real-time, appointments for care and services under the program, to the extent practicable.
``(2) Use of contracts.--The Secretary may procure such systems as described in paragraph (1) through an existing contract entered into by the Department, if feasible, or a new contract.
``(3) Reduction in wait times.--The Secretary shall develop or procure the systems described in paragraph (1) with the intent of-- ``(A) reducing the time (measured in days) from referral date of veterans to health care providers under subsection (c) to the actual scheduling of appointments for care or services under this section;
and ``(B) reducing the time (measured in days and hours) for schedulers of the Department to schedule appointments for care or services under this section.
``(4) Annual report.--Not later than September 30 of each year through 2028, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the progress of the Secretary in establishing the systems required by paragraph (1).''.
Calendar No.
274 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
654 _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an external provider scheduling program to assist the Department of Veterans Affairs in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________ December 2, 2025 Reported with an amendment
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

Action History

  1. Introduced in Senate

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

  3. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-35.

  4. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  5. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  6. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  7. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 274.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 543 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (543)

543 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 543 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

veterans healthcare technology
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does S 654 do?
This bill establishes within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) a national External Provider Scheduling Program to assist the VA in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP). The program must consist of technology that allows VA schedulers to view the schedules of health care providers participating in the VCCP in real time.The VA must ensure the program reduces the time (1) from referral to the actual scheduling of appointments for care or services, and (2) for VA schedulers to schedule appointments for care or services.The VA must also ensure the program is available to all VA medical centers by September 30, 2025.
Who sponsors S 654?
S 654 is sponsored by Moran, Jerry (Republican), Fischer, Deb (Republican), Boozman, John (Republican), and Budd, Ted (Republican).
What is the current status of S 654?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced February 20, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track S 654?
Track S 654 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on S 654

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of S 654

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →