US HB5539

Elevates former prisoners of war to the highest priority group (Priority Group 1) for VA hospital care and medical services enrollment under 38 U.S.C. § 1705(a)

Removes former POWs from Priority Group 3, where they were previously categorized alongside veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 10-20%

Ensures former POWs receive priority access to VA extended care services by amending Section 1710B(c)(2)(D)

Applies retroactively to all veterans who are former prisoners of war, regardless of when they attained that status

Introduced September 19, 2025 with bipartisan sponsorship (Rep. Walberg, Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Rep. Gottheimer) and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs