Legislation introduced in both the House and Senate by the chairman of each chamber’s Veterans Affairs committee would expand access to community care for veterans while standardizing and improving VA mental health programs.
The Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025 (S. 275 | H.R. 740), introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and in the House by Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), would codify standards for veterans to receive community-based care:
- Veterans who cannot be provided by the VA with a primary care, mental health care, or extended care appointment within a 30-minute drive or within 20 days (or shorter, as prescribed by the VA secretary).
- Veterans who cannot be provided by the VA with a specialty care appointment with an hour’s drive or within 28 days (or shorter, per the VA secretary).
The bill also requires the VA to create a “standardized screening process” for veterans to participate in mental health treatment programs, craft a three-year pilot program allowing veterans to access mental health and/or substance abuse programs in the community without a referral, and establish tracking on wait times and care availability for mental health programs, among other improvements.
“MOAA thanks Chairmen Moran and Bost for introducing the Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act at a critical time for veterans’ mental health care,” said Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), president and CEO of MOAA. “More work is needed to expand mental health and substance use treatment in communities, especially rural areas where VA services are limited. We look forward to collaborating with the Veterans’ Affairs Committees and urge close cooperation with VSOs and stakeholders during the legislative process.”
The bill also would require the VA to:
- Prepare a series of reports to Congress regarding community care access, including the appeals process for veterans who are denied community care.
- Coordinate with veterans service organizations and other stakeholders on possible improvements to the clinical appeals process.
- Make veterans aware of telehealth options, but prevent the department from using telehealth in place of the community care standards outlined above.
[RELATED: MOAA’s Legislative Priorities for the 119th Congress]
The bill is one of many addressing veterans’ care and benefits either already introduced in the 119th Congress or under consideration on Capitol Hill. MOAA will continue its work to ensure veterans receive the care they’ve earned and the VA receives the resources it needs to continue providing that care. Follow and take part in these efforts by registering at MOAA’s Legislative Action Center.
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