Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
In Committee
Summary
Clear eligibility access standards for community care. The bill would set concrete drive-time and wait-time thresholds for when veterans can choose non-VA care, standardize residential mental health admissions, and require a veterans-facing online self-service tool.
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- Veterans: Would get explicit access rules like a 30-minute drive and 20-day wait for primary care and a 60-minute drive and 28-day wait for specialty care. VA would have to notify eligible veterans in writing within two business days and could not count telehealth when measuring access.
- Mental health patients and families: Would face standardized screening within 48 hours and priority admission within 48 hours for high-risk cases, required screening for traumatic brain injury, clearer placement rules, transportation support, and a clinical appeals process with 72-hour response targets.
- Providers and VA managers: Would see the claims window extended from 180 days to one year, creation of an Office of Innovation with expanded duties and annual reporting, and a three-year pilot for open-access outpatient behavioral health in at least five locations.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Faster residential mental health care
If enacted, VA would have to set a standardized clinical screening process within one year. Veterans requesting residential mental health or substance use treatment would be screened within 48 hours, and veterans who meet priority criteria would be admitted within 48 hours of that decision. If VA cannot admit timely, the Secretary would offer contracts with state‑licensed, CARF‑ or Joint Commission‑accredited non‑VA facilities and provide transportation or pay travel costs to and from the program. VA would also set quality checks of VA and non‑VA providers, track evidence‑based treatments, staffing ratios, and outcomes, and define which residential programs are covered (excluding certain transition residences).
Pilot: direct outpatient behavioral health access
If enacted, the bill would create a three‑year pilot starting within one year in at least five locations. Enrolled veterans at pilot sites would be able to get outpatient mental health and substance use care from specified providers without referral or pre‑authorization. The pilot must include care coordination, safety and outcome metrics, and yearly reports to Veterans' Affairs Committees starting one year after the pilot begins.
Clearer community care access and notices
If enacted, the bill would let covered veterans elect non‑VA care when VA cannot meet set travel and wait limits: 30 minutes driving and 20 days for primary, mental, and most extended care, and 60 minutes and 28 days for specialty care. VA would not be allowed to count telehealth when checking those standards. VA would have to notify a veteran in writing within two business days when the veteran seeks care and is eligible for non‑VA care, and send written denial notices within two business days explaining reasons and how to appeal. The Secretary would also plan an online self‑service module and submit the initial plan within 180 days, with quarterly updates for two years to Congress.
Stronger oversight and innovation at VA
If enacted, the bill would move the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment into the Office of the Secretary and make several duties mandatory. The Center would get an identified budget line in VA budget materials and would have to report annually to Congress on activities, staff, budget, and results. The change expands the Center's authority to support productivity and modernization and permits broader participants and some waivers of title provisions.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
KS • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]
IN • R
Sponsored 1/29/2025
Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
AL • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 2/6/2025
Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
TN • R
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
MT • R
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
FL • R
Sponsored 5/20/2025
Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL]
FL • R
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
TX • R
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]
NE • R
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Shelley Capito
WV • R
Sponsored 9/16/2025
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
IA • R
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 3/9/2026
Dan Sullivan
AK • R
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH]
OH • R
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov