Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025
The Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 (H.R. 740) is a comprehensive package aiming to reform how veterans access care through the Veterans Community Care Program and to strengthen VA mental health treatment programs. The bill sets explicit eligibility standards for community care (with concrete driving-time and wait-time benchmarks), requires timely notifications to veterans about eligibility and denials, and adds protections and considerations for veteran preferences and caregiver needs. It also expands mental health treatment reforms—introducing a standardized screening process to decide priority versus routine admission, allowing non-VA facilities to furnish care when VA cannot admit a veteran promptly, and strengthening oversight, care coordination, and reporting related to residential mental health programs. In addition, the bill moves forward with modernization efforts, including an online self-service portal for care management and enhanced reporting and governance requirements, while extending certain administrative timelines (e.g., prompt payment) to improve accountability and transparency. In short, the bill seeks to (1) tighten and standardize access to community care, (2) empower veterans with timely information and choices (including telehealth options and caregiver considerations), (3) reform VA mental health treatment pathways to reduce delays and improve coordination, and (4) modernize VA care management and reporting through digital tools and integrated oversight. Sponsor and status: Introduced in the House on January 28, 2025 by Rep. Bost (joined by several cosponsors). The bill is currently introduced and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of clear eligibility access standards for the Veterans Community Care Program, including time/distance benchmarks for primary/mental health/extended care (and longer benchmarks for specialty care). If the VA cannot meet these standards, veterans may receive care from non-VA providers under contracts, provided the non-VA facility is licensed and accredited (CARF or Joint Commission). Telehealth may not be used to substitute for the eligibility calculations.
- 2Strong veteran notifications and reminders: the Secretary must notify each eligible veteran in writing within two business days of learning they are seeking care and eligible, and provide periodic reminders of ongoing eligibility. Notices and reminders may be electronic; denial notifications must include reasons and how to appeal using VA’s clinical appeals process.
- 3Consideration of veteran preferences and needs in care decisions: the VA must factor in veteran preference for where/when/how to seek care, continuity of care, and whether the veteran requires a caregiver or attendant when seeking care.
- 4Mental health treatment reforms with standardized eligibility and non-VA care options: within one year, the VA must establish a standardized screening process to determine priority vs. routine admission to mental health treatment programs; priority admissions require rapid screening and admission timelines (typically within 48 hours of eligibility determination). If VA cannot admit a veteran promptly, the Secretary must offer care at a non-VA facility under contract that is licensed and accredited. The bill also strengthens metrics, oversight, transportation, discharge planning, and an appeals process for mental health residential programs.
- 5Modernization, oversight, and reporting: the act requires performance metrics for both VA facilities and non-VA providers, real-time tracking of wait times and bed availability, expanded training for staff, improved care coordination (including transportation and follow-up care), and an expansive reporting regime to Congress and the Comptroller General. It also moves toward an online self-service module for care requests, referrals, reminders, and appeals, and includes pilot programs and updates to the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment. The extension of the prompt payment deadline from 180 days to one year for certain claims is also included.