TRAVEL Act of 2025
The TRAVEL Act of 2025 would give the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the authority to temporarily assign VA physicians to serve as traveling physicians in U.S. territories and possessions (such as American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other territories). These assignments could last up to one year at a time, and multiple physicians could be deployed to specific territories as needed. Traveling physicians would coordinate with non-VA medical providers to ensure high-quality, coordinated care for veterans. The bill also creates a dedicated relocation/retention bonus for traveling physicians, aligning the bonus structure with existing programs. In addition, the bill makes clerical and title amendments related to terminology and organization, and extends the deadline for certain pension-related payments to December 31, 2032. The bill has been introduced in the Senate; the accompanying text notes it previously passed the House.
Key Points
- 1Authorization of traveling physicians: VA may assign physicians to serve as traveling physicians for up to one year, to provide care in territories and possessions of the United States.
- 2Coverage scope: Traveling physicians may serve veterans at VA facilities or other approved facilities located in territories/possessions.
- 3Coordination of care: Traveling physicians must coordinate with non-VA medical providers to ensure high-quality, integrated care.
- 4Compensation: Traveling physicians receive a relocation or retention bonus in addition to their VA pay, with the bonus structure aligned to existing relocation/retention bonus authorities.
- 5Structural/terminology changes: Adds Section 7415, “Traveling physicians,” to Title 38; renames “retention allowances” to “retention bonuses” in related sections (7410(a)(1) and 7431(e)(5)(B)).
- 6Pension-related extension: Extends the applicable limit on certain pension payments to December 31, 2032 (from November 30, 2031).