Veterans Mental Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025
The Veterans Mental Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to run a three-year pilot program in which Vet Centers and VA medical facilities refer veterans experiencing mental health crises to non-VA mental health care providers that VA approves. The program would start within 180 days of enactment and operate in at least three geographic locations. VA would establish a referral system that aims to connect veterans to approved external providers within one week, develop criteria to approve those providers, hire additional staff as needed, and train VA personnel involved in the referrals. The bill also sets up annual and final reporting to Congress on referral activity, wait times, and veteran satisfaction. Funding of $3 million per fiscal year (2025–2027) is authorized to support the pilot.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a three-year VA pilot program in which Vet Centers and VA medical facilities refer veterans in mental health crises to VA-approved non-Department providers.
- 2Requires at least three geographic locations for the pilot and a start not later than 180 days after enactment.
- 3Mandates a referral system that aims to connect veterans to non-VA providers within one week; creates criteria for approving external providers; authorizes hiring of additional staff; and provides staff training.
- 4Requires annual reports to Congress (within six months after the end of each year of the pilot) detailing the number of referrals, average wait time, and veteran satisfaction; and a final report evaluating effectiveness and recommendations for expansion or modification within 180 days after the pilot ends.
- 5Authorizes $3,000,000 in appropriations for each fiscal year of the pilot (2025–2027).