H.R. 6649 — Fit Vets Act

This section establishes a three-year pilot program to provide eligible enrolled veterans access to the SilverSneakers health and fitness program—or a comparable evidence-based senior exercise program—as part of VA health care. Eligible veterans are those enrolled in the patient enrollment system under 38 U.S.C. §1705 who meet participation criteria established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in regulations. The Secretary may implement the program on a national or regional basis and must submit a report to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs 180 days after termination assessing (1) participation rates, (2) costs, (3) effects on health outcomes including physical fitness and chronic disease management, and (4) recommendations on making the program permanent. (SilverSneakers is a fitness program for seniors typically offered through Medicare Advantage plans.)