Veterans Affairs: Minimum Number of Mental Health Centers per State
The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs is reviewing this bill. It has not moved since August 27, 2026. The committee must decide whether to hold a vote before the bill can proceed further.
The bill has bipartisan support and addresses a popular issue, but it requires significant new funding and logistics from the VA which often slows things down.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Meeting the new per-state minimums will require the VA to hire staff and open additional centers or outstations, expanding the Vet Center workforce in states that currently fall short of the required counts.
“the Secretary shall establish such additional covered Vet Centers in each State as may be necessary to meet the minimum required number”
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Tom Kean (NJ-7), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand access to Vet Center mental health counseling. The bill uses census data to ensure underserved areas are eligible for additional centers.
Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. introduced the Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act to establish a minimum requirement for the number of Vet Centers per state, ensuring that veterans in rural and crowded areas have adequate access to mental health resources.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. is advocating for a new Vet Center in Hunterdon County as part of the Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act, which would mandate a minimum number of facilities based on veteran population and geographic size.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act of 2026
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.