Veterans Community Care Improvement Bill

Official: Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025

IntroducedN/A

Armed Forces and National SecurityCongressional oversightGovernment information and archivesHealth promotion and preventive careEmployment and training programsPerformance measurementHealth care coverage and accessHealth technology, devices, suppliesVeterans' organizations and recognitionMental healthInternet, web applications, social mediaVeterans' medical careHealth information and medical recordsLong-term, rehabilitative, and terminal careAdministrative remediesDrug, alcohol, tobacco useTransportation costs

Why This Matters

This bill improves how veterans access healthcare services outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs by setting clear rules and standards.

If you are a veteran, you may find it easier to get timely healthcare services closer to home.

Affects: Veterans seeking healthcare services and their families.

Summary

Veterans' Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025This bill addresses the administration of the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) and other Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care matters. Among other provisions regarding the VCCP, the billestablishes in statute access standards that determine when a veteran is eligible to receive non-VA care through the VCCP, requires the VA to notify veterans regarding their eligibility for care within two business days after the VA is aware the veteran is seeking care, andextends the deadline for the submittal of claims under the VCCP by health care entities and providers. The VA must address its mental health treatment programs byestablishing a standardized screening process to determine whether a veteran satisfies criteria for priority or routine admission to a mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program or a program for residential care for mental health and substance abuse disorders, tracking the performance of medical facilities and Veterans Integrated Service Networks in meeting the requirements for mental health treatment screenings and timely admission to treatment programs under such screenings, andestablishing an appeal process for when a veteran is denied admission to a covered treatment program or is accepted into a program but not offered bed placement in a timely manner. Additionally, the VA must establish an online self-service module for veterans to request and manage appointments, track referrals, and appeal and track decisions related to requests for care.