BEACON Act of 2026

Last action on Apr 16, 2026Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by ...

Summary

The Veterans TBI Breakthrough Exploration of Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide (BEACON) Act of 2026 aims to modernize how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) treats traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The bill proposes the establishment of two new grant programs designed to move beyond traditional medication-focused treatments. These programs would fund research and clinical trials for innovative, non-pharmacological therapies, such as neurorehabilitation, to help veterans recover from mild to moderate brain injuries.

If enacted, the bill would encourage partnerships between the VA, academic institutions, and private entities to develop evidence-based care models. By focusing on physical and cognitive rehabilitation rather than just pharmaceutical interventions, the legislation seeks to improve long-term health outcomes, enhance quality of life, and reduce suicide risks among veterans. The bill also aims to integrate civilian and academic expertise into the VA’s existing healthcare framework to address gaps in current recovery programs.

Lifecycle of the Bill

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Jan 22, 2026

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Apr 16, 2026

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 7 - 5.

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.

BEACON Act of 2026

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Cosponsors (12)

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

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BEACON Act of 2026

Summary

Lifecycle of the Bill

Committee

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Lifecycle of the Bill

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Sponsors & Co-sponsors (13)

Cosponsors (12)

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Committees (1)

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

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