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119-s-607119th CongressWALLET

Improving Veteran Access to Care Act

Sponsored By: Senator Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

Passed Senate

Summary

This bill would require the VA to modernize appointment scheduling so veterans can find and book care more easily and staff can manage visits more efficiently.

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  • Veterans and families would get a VA-wide scheduling system and a self-service patient portal to view, fully book, cancel, or reschedule primary, mental health, and specialty care. The plan also requires a telephonic option so a scheduler can book appointments for patients.
  • VA staff and operations would get coordinated technology, process, training, and governance improvements to reduce scheduling friction and improve timely access. The Secretary must align these changes with the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program (EHRM).
  • Congress and oversight would get timelines and accountability. The Secretary must deliver a plan within one year, report progress at one year and two years after plan submission, and fully implement the plan not later than two years after submitting it. Reports must include costs, deployment schedules, metrics, challenges, and lessons learned.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Easier VA appointment scheduling for veterans

If enacted, the VA would have to submit a plan within one year to modernize how appointments are scheduled. The plan would have to be fully put in place within two years after it is sent. It would build a VA-wide system so staff and patients can see open slots for primary, mental health, and specialty care. It would add a self-service tool to view, book (with referrals handled), cancel, and reschedule visits, plus a phone option to book with a live scheduler. The VA would align this with its electronic health record rollout and report to Congress one and two years after plan submission on costs, timelines, goals, and results. Veterans could still choose to book directly by a non-online method.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

NH • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]

    AR • R

    Sponsored 2/18/2025

  • Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 12/2/2025

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 12/2/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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