McGarvey, Luttrell Introduce Bill to Speed Up Healthcare Innovation for Veterans

McGarvey, Luttrell Introduce Bill to Speed Up Healthcare Innovation for Veterans

INNOVATE Act speeds up VA partnerships with private sector and invests in veteran-owned businesses to develop care by veterans, for veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 11, 2026) - Today, Congressmen Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) and Morgan Luttrell (TX-08) introduced the Innovation for VA Technology and Entrepreneurship (INNOVATE) Act, a bipartisan bill to strengthen the most innovative offices within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and cut down on red tape that delays development of the newest treatments and technology for veterans' healthcare.

As the largest integrated healthcare system in the country, serving more than 9 million veterans, VA is uniquely positioned to develop new treatments through public-private partnerships but struggles to meet the clinical demand of a growing and changing veteran population. Due to outdated bureaucratic hurdles at VA, it currently takes months or even years for the agency to partner with outside innovators.

"Veterans deserve the best and most cutting-edge care in the world," said Congressman McGarvey. "We must leverage VA's resources to speed up and encourage that innovation. Like DARPA did for the Defense Department, this bill gives VA the flexibility and agency to discover the newest treatments and keep up with veterans' changing needs."

"Innovative treatments shouldn't be held up by years of red tape before they reach the veterans who need them," said Congressman Luttrell. "The INNOVATE Act empowers the VA to partner with veteran-owned small businesses to speed up and optimize treatments. I thank Congressman McGarvey for his leadership and urge the passage of this bill."

The INNOVATE Act would:

• Give VA the same fast-track contracting tools and capabilities the Pentagon already uses to quickly collaborate with startups, researchers, and the broader healthcare industry to drive innovation toward veteran-centric solutions;
• Prioritize collaboration with veteran-owned small businesses to invest in solutions made by veterans, for veterans, from concept to implementation;
• Establish an "Office of Innovation" at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to invest in the development of technology the market hasn't yet developed or optimized for veterans' healthcare;
• Empower the Office of Innovation to quickly and competitively hire the most qualified clinical and technical experts to provide innovative care and build cutting-edge solutions; and
• Secure better prices and early access to technology VA helps develop with outside partners.

The INNOVATE Act is endorsed by American Legion, AMVETS (American Veterans), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Wounded Warrior Project.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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Congressman Morgan McGarvey represents Kentucky's Third Congressional District, including Louisville and Jefferson County. He serves on the House Veterans Affairs, Small Business, and Budget Committees.