Bill > HR8737

This bill, known as the "Never Fight Alone Act," aims to expand the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care Program to include certain veterans seeking mental health or substance-use services, particularly when they cannot access these services in a timely manner through the VA's own programs. Specifically, it allows veterans to receive these services in the community if they meet the VA's criteria for priority admission to a VA mental health residential program but the VA cannot accommodate them, or if the VA cannot provide the services within its own access standards for specialty care. The bill also mandates that the VA establish minimum standards for community residential mental health and substance-use treatment programs, requiring them to be licensed, accredited, and meet specific behavioral health standards, with provisions for waivers if no suitable alternatives exist. Furthermore, it prohibits the VA from denying eligibility for community care solely because providers cannot meet certain wait times or access standards, and requires the VA to allow veterans to choose their preferred care option if multiple are available. Finally, the bill requires the VA to collect and report more detailed data on community care requests, approvals, denials, and appeals, especially concerning mental health services, and places limitations on the VA's ability to modify community care access standards without congressional approval.