September 30, 2026
Mr. Rounds introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit veterans to seek a second opinion after the receipt of health care under the laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Gene Murphy Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Right of veterans to second opinion in receipt of care furnished by Department of Veterans Affairs
(a) In general
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that any veteran who receives health care under the laws administered by the Secretary may request a second opinion after the receipt of such care and the Secretary, upon such request, shall provide to the veteran—
(1)
a referral to another health care provider of the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
(2)
a referral to a non-Department provider in the community, including under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code.
(b) Costs
All costs associated with providing a second opinion under subsection (a) shall be borne by the Department.