What does Preamble of Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 do?

This bill aims to improve the provision of care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill is referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

What does CODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS FOR of Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 1703B of Title 38, United States Code, to establish eligibility access standards for covered veterans to receive non-Department hospital care, medical services, or extended care services (excluding nursing home care) through the Veterans Community Care Program. For primary and mental health care, the Department must schedule appointments within a 30-minute average driving time (or shorter, as prescribed by the Secretary) and within 20 days (or shorter). For specialty care, the Department must schedule appointments within a 60-minute average driving time (or shorter) and within 28 days (or shorter). Telehealth appointments are not considered when determining if the Department can furnish care meeting these standards. Wait times are calculated from the date of the original, canceled appointment if the Department cancels an appointment. Agreements for longer drive times or later appointment dates must be documented in the veteran’s electronic health record. The Secretary must periodically review these access standards, at least once every three years, in consultation with various entities including Federal agencies, veteran patients, and healthcare providers. The Secretary must submit a report on the review findings and recommendations to Congress.

What does REQUIREMENT THAT SECRETARY NOTIFY VETERANS OF ELIGIBILITY FOR of Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 1703(a) of Title 38, United States Code. The Secretary is required to notify covered veterans in writing of their eligibility for care or services under the Veterans Community Care Program. This notification must occur as soon as possible, but no later than two business days after the Secretary becomes aware of the veteran's eligibility and their seeking of care. For veterans eligible for care under subsection (d), the Secretary must provide periodic reminders of their ongoing eligibility. Notifications and reminders may be provided electronically.

What does CONSIDERATION UNDER VETERANS COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM OF of Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 1703(d)(2) of title 38, United States Code. The amendment adds subparagraphs (F), (G), and (H) to consider veteran preferences. Subparagraph (F) requires consideration of a covered veteran’s preference for where, when, and how to seek care. Subparagraph (G) requires consideration of continuity of care. Subparagraph (H) requires consideration of whether a veteran requests or requires caregiver or attendant assistance.

What does NOTIFICATION OF DENIAL OF REQUEST FOR CARE UNDER VETERANS of Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 do?

This section amends title 38 of the United States Code, specifically section 1703. It redesignates subsection (o) as subsection (p) and inserts a new subsection (o). If a veteran's request for care or services under section 1703 is denied, the Secretary must notify them in writing. The notification must occur as soon as possible, but no later than two business days after the denial. The notification must include the reason for the denial and instructions on how to appeal using the Veterans Health Administration's clinical appeals process. If the denial is due to not meeting eligibility access standards under section 1703B(a), the notice must explain why the veteran did not meet those standards. Notifications under this subsection may be provided electronically.

What does DISCUSSION OF TELEHEALTH OPTIONS UNDER VETERANS COMMUNITY of Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 do?

This section amends title 38 of the United States Code, specifically section 1703. It redesignates subsection (p) as subsection (q) and inserts a new subsection (p). The new subsection (p) requires the Secretary to inform veterans of telehealth options when discussing care or services. Telehealth must be available, appropriate, and acceptable to the veteran to be considered.

What does EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTAL OF CLAIMS BY HEALTH CARE of Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 1703D(b) of title 38, United States Code. The amendment changes the deadline for the submittal of claims by health care entities and providers under the prompt payment standard.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 do?

This section defines terms used in the title. Covered treatment programs include mental health residential rehabilitation treatment programs and residential care for mental health and substance abuse disorders. Covered veteran is defined as a veteran described in section 1703(b) of title 38, United States Code. Social support systems include family members and individuals living with the veteran, excluding facility-organized peer support programs. Treatment track refers to a specialized treatment program for a subset of covered veterans in a covered treatment program.

What does STANDARDIZED PROCESS TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF COVERED of Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes a standardized screening process to determine eligibility for mental health treatment programs. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must establish this process within one year of the Act's enactment. Covered veterans are eligible for priority admission if they meet certain criteria, including symptoms affecting daily life or high-risk flags for suicide. The Secretary must screen covered veterans within 48 hours of a request for admission and admit them to a program within 48 hours of determining eligibility. The Secretary may offer care through non-Department providers if unable to admit a covered veteran to a Department facility.

What does IMPROVEMENTS TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MENTAL HEALTH of Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes requirements for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding improvements to mental health treatment programs. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must develop metrics to track the performance of medical facilities and Veterans Integrated Service Networks in screening and timely admission to covered treatment programs. The Secretary is required to develop a process for assessing the quality of care provided to covered veterans by both VA and non-VA providers. Covered veterans needing residential care will receive a list of locations meeting screening standards and their care needs. The Secretary must provide transportation assistance for veterans admitted to covered treatment programs. A national policy and procedures are established for covered veterans, representatives, or providers to file clinical appeals regarding admission denials or delayed placement. The Secretary must track availability and wait times for covered treatment programs across all facilities and make this information available to designated personnel. The Secretary must update and implement training for staff involved in covered treatment programs, including procedures for caring for veterans awaiting admission. The Secretary must ensure continuity of care and develop care plans for veterans undergoing treatment, including those with substance use disorders. The Secretary must submit a report to Congress within two years of the Act's enactment, detailing various aspects of covered treatment programs, including data on veteran demographics, wait times, costs, and staffing needs.

Back to bills

Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025

Last updated: 7/23/2025 · Introduced: 1/28/2025

Author: Mike Bost (R-IL)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill establishes specific time standards for scheduling appointments within the Veterans Community Care Program, requiring appointments for primary and mental health care to be scheduled within 20 days and specialty care within 28 days, based on driving time and appointment date.
Covered veterans will receive written notifications from the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding their eligibility for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program, with periodic reminders for ongoing eligibility.
The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to consider a veteran’s preferences for care location, continuity of care, and caregiver assistance when providing services under the Community Care Program.
If a veteran’s request for care is denied, the Department must promptly notify them in writing, including the reason for denial and instructions for appealing the decision.
The bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop an interactive, online self-service module allowing veterans to request appointments, track referrals, receive reminders, and appeal decisions related to care denials.

119th Congressin committeeS. 275(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, codification of requirements for eligibility standards for, and 5 more.

7 sections

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TITLE II

-MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT PROGRAMS

3 sections

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TITLE III

-OTHER HEALTH CARE MATTERS

3 sections

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