Hearing: Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 785, The Representing Our Seniors at VA Act of 2025, H.R. 2068, The Veterans Patient Advocacy Act, H.R. 2605, The Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act, H.R. 3400, The Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare (TRAVEL) Act of 2025, Discussion Draft: To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit smoking on the premises of any facility of the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes, Discussion Draft: The VA Data Transparency and Trust Act, Discussion Draft: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study to determine whether RNA sequencing can be used to effectively diagnose PTSD in veterans, Discussion Draft: The Health Professionals Scholarship Program Improvement Act of 2025, Discussion Draft: The Fisher House Availability Act of 2025, H.R. 1404, The CHAMPVA Children’s Care Protection Act of 2025, H.R. 2148, The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act, Discussion Draft: The VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act

Subcommittee on Health (Committee on Veterans' Affairs)

Thursday, June 12, 2025 (2:15 PM)

360 CHOB
Washington, D.C.

Witnesses

Panel one

Antoinete V. Shappell
Deputy Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Patient Care Services, Veteran Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs

Added 06/10/2025 at 01:17 PM
  • Witness Testimony [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 01:17 PM
  • Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 05:00 PM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 01:20 PM

Dr. Isle Wiechers
Deputy Executive Director, VHA Office of Mental Health, Department of Veterans Affairs

Added 06/10/2025 at 01:20 PM
  • Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 05:00 PM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 01:20 PM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 05:00 PM

Panel two

Mrs. Caira Benson
Caregiver Fellow, Elizabeth Dole Foundation

Added 06/10/2025 at 01:17 PM
  • Witness Testimony [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 01:17 PM
  • Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 06:26 PM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 01:20 PM

Mr. David A. Coker
President, Fisher House Foundation

Added 06/10/2025 at 01:17 PM
  • Witness Statement [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 01:17 PM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 01:20 PM

Mr. Randy T. Johnson

Added 06/10/2025 at 01:17 PM
  • Witness Statement [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 01:17 PM
  • Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 05:00 PM

Mr. Cole Lyle
Director, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion

Added 06/10/2025 at 01:17 PM
  • Witness Testimony [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 01:17 PM
  • Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 05:00 PM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 01:20 PM

Mr. John Schmitt
CEO, iXpressGenes

Added 06/10/2025 at 01:17 PM
  • Witness Statement [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 01:17 PM
  • Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 05:00 PM

Text of Legislation

  • H. R. 785; Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025 [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 12:22 PM
  • H. R. 2068; Veterans Patient Advocacy Act [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 12:22 PM
  • H. R. 2605; ‘Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act’’ or the ‘‘SAVES Act’ [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 12:22 PM
  • H.R. 3400; TRAVEL Act of 2025 [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 12:22 PM
  • H.R. 3643; VA Data Transparency and Trust Act [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 12:22 PM
  • H.R.___; To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study to determine whether RNA sequencing can be used to effectively diagnose PTSD in veterans. [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 12:22 PM
  • H.R. 3767; Health Professionals Scholarship Program Improvement Act of 2025 [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 12:22 PM
  • H.R. 3726; Fisher House Availability Act of 2025 [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 12:22 PM
  • H.R. 1404; CHAMPVA Children’s Care Protection Act of 2025 [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 12:22 PM
  • H.R. 2148; Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 12:22 PM
  • H.R.___; VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 12:22 PM
  • H. R.___ To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit smoking on the premises of any facility of the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes. [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 05:27 PM

Support Documents

  • Hearing Notice [PDF]
  • SFR_K9s for Warriors [PDF]
  • Statement for the Record; Quality of Life Foundation [PDF] Added 06/09/2025 at 04:11 PM
  • Statement for the Record. National Association of State Veterans Homes in Support of S.785 [PDF] Added 06/09/2025 at 06:01 PM
  • Statement for the Record. Military Officers Association of America [PDF] Added 06/09/2025 at 06:01 PM
  • Statement for the Record, NAVREF [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 12:46 PM
  • Statement for the Record, iXPRESSGENES [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 01:17 PM
  • Statement for the Record, Paralyzed Veterans of America [PDF] Added 06/11/2025 at 11:58 AM
  • Statement for the Record, Rep. Morelle [PDF] Added 06/11/2025 at 03:18 PM
  • Statement for the Record: Concerned Veterans for America [PDF] Added 06/12/2025 at 09:52 AM
  • Statement of the Record, USAA [PDF] Added 06/12/2025 at 10:19 AM
  • Statement for the Record; Student Veterans of America [PDF] Added 06/18/2025 at 10:29 AM
  • Statement for the Record; American Academy of Physician Associates [PDF] Added 06/18/2025 at 04:43 PM

Hearing Record

  • Witness List [PDF] Added 06/10/2025 at 02:11 PM

First Published: June 6, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Last Updated: June 26, 2025 at 10:43 AM