Rep. Patronis Introduces Never Fight Alone Act to Expand Veterans' Mental Health Care Options
To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand access to the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include certain veterans seeking mental health or substance-use services, and for other purposes.
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has been sent to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs for review. It is considered active, but no further hearings or votes have been scheduled at this time.
While veteran issues often get support, bills that expand private care options are often controversial and face opposition from those who want to keep funding within the VA system.
VA staff who manage community care referrals and mental health programs would face new administrative requirements, including updated access standards within 90 days of enactment, expanded reporting on care requests and denials, and new referral procedures for residential mental health care. This creates additional workload but also clearer guidelines for decision-making.
“Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop or amend existing access standards of the Department of Veterans Affairs”
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.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand access to the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include certain veterans seeking mental health or substance-use services, and for other purposes.
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