Back to all bills
HR 2020119th CongressIn Committee
New Mexico Rural Veteran Health Care Access Act
Introduced: Mar 10, 2025
Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
New Mexico Rural Veteran Health Care Access Act is a short, boundary-change bill. It directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to redraw the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) boundaries so that Otero County and Eddy County in New Mexico are included in VISN 17. The change must be completed within 180 days after enactment. The purpose is to improve access to VA health care for veterans in these rural counties by placing them within the same regional VA network as VISN 17.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The act is called the “New Mexico Rural Veteran Health Care Access Act.”
- 2Core requirement: The VA Secretary must redraw VISN boundaries to include Otero County and Eddy County, NM, in VISN 17.
- 3Timeline: The boundary redraw must be completed no later than 180 days after the bill is enacted.
- 4Scope of change: The bill specifically adds two NM counties to VISN 17; it does not specify new funding or programs.
- 5Funding/implementation: The text does not authorize new appropriations; it imposes a mandate on boundary changes to be carried out by the VA.
Impact Areas
Primary: Veterans living in Otero County and Eddy County, NM, who would gain boundary alignment with VISN 17 for VA health care access.Secondary: VA facilities, staff, and administrative operations within VISN 17 that may experience updated catchment areas, referrals, and patient flow; potential changes for neighboring VISNs that previously served these counties.Additional impacts: Local communities and rural health networks in southern New Mexico could see changes in coordination with VA services; potential effects on planning and budgeting within the VA for VISN 17, though no new funding is specified in the bill.
Generated by gpt-5-nano on Nov 18, 2025