119th Congress Armed Forces and National Security
S. 275: Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025
Introduced
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- Passed House (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
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
- 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.
Read the full summary
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.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Jim Banks R-IN
- Tommy Tuberville R-AL
- Thom Tillis R-NC
- Mike Rounds R-SD
- Marsha Blackburn R-TN
- Tim Sheehy R-MT
- Rick Scott R-FL
- Ashley Moody R-FL
- Ted Cruz R-TX
- Pete Ricketts R-NE
- Shelley Capito R-WV
- Charles Grassley R-IA
- Mike Lee R-UT
- Dan Sullivan R-AK
- Jon Husted R-OH
Who scored on this bill
No member has earned points from it yet.
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
Other bills by Jerry Moran
- S. 2393: Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act
- S. 1318: Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act
- S. 3436: Caring for Veterans and Strengthening National Security Act
- S. 1591: ARCA Act of 2025
- S. 654: To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an external provider scheduling program to assist the Department of Veterans Affairs in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes
- S. 2392: Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025
History
- Introduced in the Senate by Jerry Moran.
Show the full action history (5 actions)
- 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.
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
- Introduced in Senate
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.