SCHEDULES Act of 2026

This legislation proposes to improve the healthcare experience for veterans by requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a clear, comprehensive standard for the amount of time that should pass between a medical referral and an actual appointment. Currently, wait times can vary significantly, and this bill aims to create a uniform expectation for how quickly the Department of Veterans Affairs must provide care once a need is identified by a provider. If enacted, the bill would also require the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit a formal report to Congress regarding this new timing standard. This report would likely include details on how the standard was developed and how the agency plans to meet these benchmarks to ensure veterans receive timely medical attention. The goal of the proposal is to increase accountability and transparency within the veterans' healthcare system, potentially reducing long wait times that can impact patient health outcomes. By formalizing these timelines, the bill seeks to provide veterans with a more predictable and reliable schedule for their medical treatments and specialist consultations.