Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025
Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Veterans' ACCESS Act of 2025 - Summary **What It Does:** The Veterans' ACCESS Act aims to improve how the VA delivers healthcare to veterans, particularly through the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP), which allows veterans to receive care from non-VA providers when VA services aren't readily available. The bill would establish clear eligibility standards for this program, require the VA to notify veterans within two business days about whether they qualify for community care, and give healthcare providers more time to submit claims for payment. Additionally, it would create standardized screening processes to help the VA better identify veterans who need mental health or substance abuse treatment. **Who It Affects:** This bill primarily affects veterans seeking healthcare services, as well as private healthcare providers and mental health facilities that treat veterans.
The VA and its staff would also be impacted, as they would need to implement new notification procedures and screening standards. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee (S 275 in the Senate), meaning it has been introduced but not yet voted on by the full Senate. It was sponsored by Senator Jerry Moran, a Republican from Kansas. The bill addresses administrative improvements rather than proposing major policy changes, focusing on making existing veteran healthcare programs work more efficiently and transparently.
CRS Official 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.
Latest Action
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.