VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act
Sponsored By: Representative Budzinski
In Committee
Summary
Mandatory annual mental health consultations and structured outreach for veterans with service-connected mental health diagnoses. The bill would set a specific contact sequence, require compensation reevaluations under the new outreach framework, add reports to Congress, require a GAO review, and shift a VA housing loan fee deadline to May 12, 2035.
Show full summary
- Veterans with service-connected mental health diagnoses would be offered at least yearly mental health consultations and outreach unless they opt out. Outreach must begin by phone call or text and, if needed, include at least two additional calls or texts, or email or a mailed letter if no phone or email is available.
- VA program managers and Congress would get detailed data on outreach effectiveness through annual reports for four years. The Government Accountability Office must complete a review within two years to assess how many veterans are reached, which methods work best, and reported barriers to care.
- Veterans using VA home loans would see the statutory loan-fee date extended from June 9, 2034 to May 12, 2035.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
VA loan fee date extension
If enacted, the bill would change the date in the VA housing loan fee table from June 9, 2034 to May 12, 2035. That would delay any change tied to the earlier date. The bill would not change fee amounts. The change would take effect upon enactment.
Annual VA mental health outreach
If enacted, the VA would offer at least one mental health consultation each year to veterans who receive compensation for a service-connected mental health disability. The VA would do outreach each year unless the veteran elects not to receive outreach. Outreach must start with a phone call or text; if not reached, the VA must make at least two more calls or texts. If VA has no phone number, it must send at least one email, and if it has no email, it must send at least one letter. The VA could require reevaluation of a veteran's entitlement to compensation as part of this outreach and consultation process.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Budzinski
IL • D
Cosponsors
Edwards
NC • R
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 6/17/2025
Cohen
TN • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
NH • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov