H.R. 740 · In committee · Armed Forces and National Security

Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025

Sponsor: Mike Bost (R-IL)

What it does

• Establish statutory access standards for the Veterans Community Care Program to determine when a veteran is eligible for non-VA care and require VA to notify veterans of eligibility within two business days.
• Extend the deadline for health care entities and providers to submit claims under the Veterans Community Care Program.
• Create a standardized mental health screening process to determine priority or routine admission to VA residential rehabilitation and mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment programs.
• Establish performance tracking for VA medical facilities and Veterans Integrated Service Networks regarding mental health screening and timely admission timelines.
• Create an appeal process for veterans denied admission to mental health treatment programs or not offered timely bed placement.

Official summary

Veterans' Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers Act of 2025 or the Veterans' ACCESS Act of 2025 This bill addresses the administration of the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) and other Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care matters. Among other provisions regarding the VCCP, the bill establishes in statute access standards that determine when a veteran is eligible to receive non-VA care through the VCCP, requires the VA to notify veterans regarding their eligibility for care within two business days after the VA is aware the veteran is seeking care, and extends the deadline for the submittal of claims under the VCCP by health care entities and providers. The VA must address its mental health treatment programs by establishing a standardized screening process to determine whether a veteran satisfies criteria for priority or routine admission to a mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program or a program for residential care for mental health and substance abuse disorders, tracking the performance of medical facilities and Veterans Integrated Service Networks in meeting the requirements for mental health treatment screenings and…

Latest action

Jul 23, 2025: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Committee: House Veterans' Affairs