Congress·In Progress·H.R. 740

Rep. Bost Introduces Bill to Guarantee Private Care for Veterans Facing Long VA Wait Times

Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025

8 months ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

The bill writes specific wait-time and drive-time standards into federal law. Veterans needing primary care or mental health services can see a private doctor if the VA can't offer an appointment within 20 days or a 30-minute drive. For specialty care, the limits are 28 days and 60 minutes of driving.
The VA must notify veterans within two business days that they qualify for private care, and if a request is denied, the VA must explain why and provide instructions on how to appeal — also within two business days.
From policy text
“The Secretary shall notify each covered veteran in writing of the eligibility of such veteran for care or services under this section as soon as possible, but not later than two business days, after the date on which the Secretary is aware that the veteran is seeking care”
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Veterans in mental health crisis must be screened within 48 hours. If the VA cannot admit a high-priority veteran to a residential treatment bed within 48 hours, the veteran must be offered placement at a qualified private facility instead.
From policy text
“is screened not later than 48 hours after the date on which the covered veteran, or a relevant health care provider, makes a request for the covered veteran to be admitted to a covered treatment program”
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A pilot program at five or more locations would let enrolled veterans access outpatient mental health and substance use services from private providers without needing a referral or pre-authorization, prioritizing areas with high veteran suicide and overdose rates.
Private doctors and clinics that treat veterans through community care would have one full year instead of 180 days to submit billing claims, aiming to reduce paperwork burdens and encourage more providers to participate in the program.
From policy text
“Section 1703D(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``180 days'' and inserting ``one year''.”
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An online self-service portal would be developed so veterans can request appointments, track referrals, receive reminders, and file appeals digitally — replacing phone-based processes with a more transparent system.

VeteransHealthcare

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

3 milestones4 actions

Jul 23, 2025House

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Jul 23, 2025House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Jan 28, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Jan 28, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within one year of enactment

VA must establish standardized screening process for mental health residential treatment and implement most new requirements from the bill

Veterans seeking residential mental health care would begin receiving 48-hour screenings, and the new access standards, notification rules, and appeals processes would take effect across the VA system

Within one year of enactment

Pilot program launches at five or more sites allowing veterans to access outpatient mental health services without referral

Veterans in selected areas — prioritizing those with high suicide rates, overdose deaths, and long VA wait times — could see a private mental health or substance use provider immediately without waiting for VA paperwork

Within 180 days of enactment

Online self-service portal plan submitted to Congress, with quarterly implementation updates to follow

Veterans would eventually be able to request appointments, track referrals, and file appeals online instead of calling the VA, though the portal itself may take longer to fully build and launch

Related News

4 articles

Military.com·about 1 year ago

Veterans Fear Trump Administration Plans to Privatize VA Health Care

Republican leaders introduced the Veterans' ACCESS Act, which includes a three-year pilot program allowing veterans to access private mental health and substance use treatment without a VA referral. Experts suggest this essentially bypasses the VA, raising concerns about long-term privatization.

Medill on the Hill·about 1 year ago

GOP bill attempts to gradually privatize VA care

The Veterans' ACCESS Act aims to loosen thresholds for veterans to access private care. Key provisions include restructuring eligibility requirements for community care and instituting a pilot program for mental health treatment that removes the need for VA preauthorization.

Washington Monthly·about 2 months ago

Another Threat to VA Health Care

The Veterans' ACCESS Act of 2025 proposes a pilot program allowing unlimited private-sector mental health appointments without VA authorization. Critics argue this accelerates a shift of care and dollars away from VA facilities, potentially gutting the system from within.

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