Whole Health for Veterans Act

Last action on Apr 16, 2026Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Summary

The Whole Health for Veterans Act proposes to make the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) "Whole Health" program more affordable by limiting out-of-pocket costs for participants. The bill specifically aims to prohibit the VA from charging any copayments to veterans in priority groups 1 through 5. For veterans in priority groups 6 through 8, the legislation would cap monthly copayments at a maximum of $30 for these services.

The services covered under this proposal include "Whole Health well-being services," which are designed to help veterans manage their own health through education and proactive self-care. These typically include health coaching, skill-building courses, and complementary therapies such as meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, and guided imagery. The bill seeks to ensure that the cost of these programs does not act as a barrier to veterans seeking holistic care that focuses on physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

If enacted, this legislation would provide a consistent fee structure for veterans across the country, potentially lowering the cost of wellness activities that might otherwise be more expensive through private gym memberships or specialized studios. By reducing financial hurdles, the bill intends to encourage more veterans to engage in preventative health practices and integrative therapies that are independent of treatments for specific medical diagnoses.

Lifecycle of the Bill

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Jan 29, 2026

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Apr 16, 2026

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Apr 16, 2026

HearingHouseMarkup

Apr 16, 2026 · 10:15

H.R. 2283, the “Recognizing Community Organizations for Veteran Engagement and Recovery Act”; H.R. 6993, the “BEACON Act of 2026”; H.R.6652, the “U.S. Vets of the FAS Act”; H.R.6444, the “Blast Overpressure Research and Mitigation Task Force Act”; H.R.5999, “To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish an opioid antagonist to a veteran without requiring a prescription or copayment”; H.R.6848, the “Whole Health for Veterans Act”; H.R.6001, the “Veterans with ALS Reporting Act”

Committee

Health

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Summary

On April 16, 2026, the House Health Committee held a legislative hearing in the Cannon House Office Building to consider a package of seven bills aimed at improving services for U.S. veterans. The legislation covers a broad range of medical and social issues, including H.R. 6001, which addresses ALS reporting requirements, and H.R. 6444, which proposes a task force to research and mitigate the effects of blast overpressure on service members. Other bills, such as H.R. 5999, seek to increase veteran access to life-saving opioid antagonists by removing prescription and copayment barriers. The hearing also focused on expanding community-based support and specialized care. H.R. 2283 and H.R. 6848 emphasize community engagement and a whole-health approach to veteran recovery, while H.R. 6652 specifically addresses the needs of veterans from the Freely Associated States. Additionally, the BEACON Act of 2026 (H.R. 6993) was presented as part of the committee's effort to modernize and streamline the Department of Veterans Affairs' healthcare delivery systems. As this was a legislative hearing, the committee's primary goal was to gather information and evaluate the potential impact of these proposals. While the session allowed members to discuss the merits of each bill, the hearing itself does not guarantee that any of the legislation will advance to a full committee vote or reach the House floor. The next steps involve the committee reviewing the testimony and deciding whether to mark up the bills for further consideration.

Whole Health for Veterans Act

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Whole Health for Veterans Act

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House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

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