Veterans Supporting Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreational Therapy Act; Veterans SPORT Act
Summary
The Veterans SPORT Act aims to amend Title 38 of the United States Code to include adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and recreational activities as part of the medical services provided to eligible veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill was introduced in the Senate on November 6, 2025, by Mr. Banks and Mr. King and was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
The Act specifically targets Section 1701 of Title 38, modifying paragraph (6)(F)(i) to explicitly include adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and recreational activities within the scope of medical services furnished to veterans.
Ultimately, the bill seeks to enhance the quality of life for veterans with disabilities by enabling them to participate more fully in sports and recreational activities through the provision of necessary adaptive equipment.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the Veterans SPORT Act would expand the medical services offered to eligible veterans to include adaptive prostheses and terminal devices specifically designed for sports and recreational activities. This would likely increase the demand for such devices and potentially spur innovation in their design and manufacturing.
Veterans who require prosthetics would have greater access to devices that allow them to participate in a wider range of physical activities, promoting better physical and mental health.
The Department of Veterans Affairs would need to allocate resources to cover the costs of these additional services, potentially impacting its budget and requiring adjustments to existing healthcare programs.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Quality of Life: Veterans with disabilities would have access to adaptive prostheses, enabling them to participate in sports and recreational activities, enhancing their overall well-being.
- Enhanced Physical and Mental Health: Increased physical activity can lead to better physical health outcomes and improved mental well-being for veterans.
- Greater Inclusion: The bill promotes inclusivity by providing veterans with the tools they need to engage in activities alongside their peers.
- Potential for Innovation: The increased demand for adaptive prostheses could stimulate innovation and development in the field of prosthetics.
- Support for Active Lifestyles: The bill supports veterans in maintaining active and fulfilling lifestyles after their service.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Costs: The Department of Veterans Affairs would incur additional costs for providing adaptive prostheses and related services, potentially straining its budget.
- Administrative Burden: Implementing the new provisions may require additional administrative processes and personnel to manage the increased demand and ensure proper distribution of resources.
- Potential for Abuse: There may be a risk of misuse or abuse of the program, requiring careful monitoring and oversight to prevent fraud.
- Limited Scope: The bill focuses specifically on adaptive prostheses and may not address other healthcare needs of veterans.
- Possible Delays: Increased demand could lead to delays in the provision of prosthetics and related services, affecting veterans' access to timely care.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Veterans SPORT Act appears to align with the general welfare clause of the U.S. Constitution, as it aims to promote the well-being of veterans by providing them with access to adaptive prostheses for sports and recreational activities. The Preamble of the Constitution states that one of its purposes is to "promote the general Welfare".
Congress has the power to legislate for the common defense and general welfare, and providing medical services to veterans falls under this purview. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.
Furthermore, the bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or liberties. It is a legislative action aimed at improving the lives of a specific group of citizens (veterans) and does not discriminate against any protected class.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).