PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 28, 2025
Veterans' Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025
This 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 bill
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
establishes 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, and
extends 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 by
establishing 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, and
establishing 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.
People & committees
Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS] · R–KS
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-35.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Jul 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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