ASSIST Act of 2025

The ASSIST Act of 2025 (Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation Act of 2025) would amend title 38 of the U.S. Code to explicitly treat certain automobile adaptations as VA “medical services.” This means medically necessary modifications to a veteran’s vehicle could be covered or authorized as part of VA health care, rather than being viewed as discretionary or separate spending. The bill enumerates specific adaptations—such as ramps, kneeling systems, raised doors or lowered floors, raised roofs, air conditioning, mobility lifts (both occupied and unoccupied), ingress/egress improvements, wheelchair tie-downs, and adapted seating—that would fall under this expanded definition. In addition, the bill extends a pension-payment-related deadline, moving the expiration of a current limit from November 30, 2031 to September 30, 2032.