US HB5949

Secretary of Veterans Affairs must establish a pilot program beginning October 1, 2026 to provide dental care to veterans in rural and highly rural areas, running through September 30, 2029

Dental services may be delivered via mobile dental vans, modular/containerized clinics at VA outpatient facilities or rural health fairs, and temporary structures at VA outreach events

Priority locations must be more than 75 miles from existing VA dental clinics, have high concentrations of veterans with unmet dental needs, and large rural veteran populations

Annual reports due to Congress by September 30 of 2027, 2028, and 2029 detailing number of veterans served, locations used, operating costs by delivery method, and recommendations on making the program permanent