Bill > S1745

This bill aims to expand access to the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include certain veterans seeking mental health or substance-use services. It requires the Department to ensure that referral of a veteran to an alternate Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program does not take precedence over timely access to such services, and sets minimum standards for residential mental health or substance-use services provided under the program. The bill also prohibits the Department from determining a veteran's ineligibility for care or services solely due to the inability of healthcare providers to comply with wait times or access standards, and allows veterans to choose their preferred care option if multiple options are available.