Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025
Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025 would create a new pre-transition health care registration system within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to streamline enrollment in VA’s annual patient enrollment system. The bill requires automatic registration of service members in this pre-transition system at least 180 days before anticipated separation, with data stored to facilitate a future enrollment decision if the member chooses to enroll and is eligible. After separation, VA would contact the individual within about 30 days to help complete enrollment and to schedule an initial health appointment if they wish. The legislation emphasizes proactive outreach (before and after enrollment), coordination with the Department of Defense (DOD), and efforts to reach traditionally underrepresented veterans. It also directs ongoing reporting and assessment on the program, data-sharing challenges, and cross-department coordination, while explicitly not forcing anyone to use VA services or enroll in VA’s system. The bill would require VA and DOD to establish and implement the automated pre-transition process within a year of enactment, with periodic briefings to Congress. It also envisions integrating the pre-transition system with VA’s Solid Start program and Transition Assistance Program materials, and adds a mandate for annual reporting on enrollment activity, demographics, and outcomes. A key feature is the focus on reducing bureaucratic barriers and supporting a smooth transition from military service to civilian life, including mental and physical health considerations and suicide prevention.
Key Points
- 1Automatic pre-transition registration: Not later than 180 days before anticipated separation, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must automatically register the service member in a pre-transition health care registration system, storing relevant information to enable final enrollment in VA’s patient enrollment system later if the member elects and is eligible.
- 2Post-separation enrollment assistance: Within 30 days after separation (or as soon as feasible), VA must engage with the individual to help complete enrollment in the patient enrollment system, provide the necessary forms (electronic or paper), and schedule an initial health appointment if the member is interested.
- 3Outreach and communication: Pre-transition outreach must explain what pre-transition registration means, steps after separation to enroll, available health care services (including counseling for military sexual trauma and Vet Center services), and how to access those services. Outreach must use multiple channels (email, text, mail, phone), and there is ongoing outreach after enrollment to encourage appointments and assist those eligible for specific VA services.
- 4DoD coordination and Transition Assistance integration: VA must coordinate with DoD to implement the pre-transition system and, after one year, DoD must include an explanation of this system as part of its Transition Assistance Program. The two agencies must jointly implement the system within one year and provide periodic briefings to Congress.
- 5Reporting, data, and program oversight: The bill expands annual reporting on pre-transition registration (demographics, enrollment outcomes, and health care utilization) and mandates assessments of data pre-population, data transmission challenges with DoD and other agencies, and cross-department program coordination. It also designates an SENIOR-level coordinating office or official to oversee related VA programs and cross-program collaboration.