Congress·In Committee·H.R. 2576

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025

House Bill Would Expand VA Support for Military Sexual Trauma Survivors, Ease Disability Claims

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Part of: VA Reform: Easier Claims and Expanded Care for MST Survivors

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

Makes it easier to prove certain mental health disability claims tied to military sexual trauma by allowing evidence beyond official military records (like medical records or statements from family).
Requires VA to warn claimants before denying: VA must explain what kinds of evidence can help and give the veteran a chance to provide it.
Lets veterans ask to have a required medical exam done at a VA facility with a VA employee, instead of a contractor location, for claims tied to military sexual trauma.
Expands VA counseling and treatment eligibility to include all former Reserve and Guard members who experienced military sexual trauma while serving, even if it happened during training or other duty status.
Requires VA to proactively connect claimants to help: within 14 days of filing a related disability claim, VA must send info for coordinators, nearby care options, Vet Centers, and the Veterans Crisis Line.

VeteransHealthcareCriminal JusticeConsumer Protection

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(1)

Federal Employee

Neutral

Positive Impacts(6)

Military Veteran

Helps

Veterans Benefits

Helps

Chronic Illness

Helps

Disability Benefits

Helps

Mental Health

Helps

Military Active

Helps

Milestones

3 milestones3 actions

Apr 9, 2025House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Apr 1, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Apr 1, 2025

Introduced in House

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Votes

No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.

Related News

1 article

Government Executive·about 1 year ago

New legislation aims to increase access to VA sexual trauma care

A bipartisan trio introduced the SAVES Act to improve VA healthcare access for sexual trauma. The bill would direct the VA to consider nonmilitary evidence like family statements and law enforcement records when evaluating claims, and requires specialized teams to process MST-related claims.

Center