Bill > HR740

This bill, known as the Veterans' ACCESS Act of 2025, comprehensively improves veterans' healthcare access and mental health treatment programs. The bill establishes new standards for the Veterans Community Care Program, including specific eligibility criteria for accessing community healthcare, such as maximum wait times and driving distances to VA facilities. Veterans must be offered community care if they cannot get an appointment within 30 minutes driving time for primary care or 60 minutes for specialty care, or within 20 and 28 days respectively. The bill requires the VA to notify veterans of their care eligibility, consider veteran preferences for care, and provide clear appeal processes for care denials. Additionally, the bill creates a standardized screening process for mental health residential treatment programs, ensuring veterans are evaluated within 48 hours of requesting admission and prioritized based on clinical need. The legislation also mandates improved care coordination, transportation assistance, and follow-up care for veterans in treatment programs. Key provisions include developing an online self-service module for veterans to request and track healthcare appointments, establishing a pilot program for mental health service access, and requiring regular reporting to Congress on program effectiveness and veteran experiences.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/740/all-info