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119-s-1912119th CongressWALLET

Protecting Veteran Community Care Act

Sponsored By: Senator Daines, Steve [R-MT]

Introduced

Summary

Expands veterans' access to community residential mental health and substance‑use treatment when VA residential care is not available in a timely way. The bill would create a new eligibility route into the Veterans Community Care Program and clarify that telehealth should supplement rather than replace in‑person care, while protecting veterans' ability to choose among care options.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Expanded residential mental health care for veterans

If enacted, the bill would let eligible veterans get VA-paid community residential mental health or substance-use treatment when VA cannot timely provide it. VA could not make internal VA referrals take priority over timely community care unless the veteran requests that referral. VA could not deny eligibility only because community providers miss VA wait-time or access standards. Programs paid by VA would generally need state licensure and Joint Commission or CARF accreditation, but VA can waive those standards for an individual if no alternate exists or it is in the veteran's best interest. The VA must also update mental health access standards within 90 days and let veterans choose among multiple available care options.

More reporting on VA community care

If enacted, each annual review of the Veterans Community Care Program would include counts of care requests, approvals, denials, and appeals. Reviews must also list the eligibility reason for each approved veteran and include data on mental health requests and emergency care authorizations, including transport and hospital stay information. These reporting changes would apply to reviews after enactment.

Congress must approve future access changes

If enacted, the Secretary could not make changes to the VA community care access conditions under section 1703(d) effective until Congress passes a joint resolution approving them. This means proposed access standard changes would not take effect without congressional approval. The rule would apply to modifications made on or after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Daines, Steve [R-MT]

MT • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 5/22/2025

  • Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 5/22/2025

  • Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 6/10/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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