Senate Committee Advances Veterans' ACCESS Act to Set Wait Time Limits, Speed Mental Health Admissions
The Senate must act next: a Senate floor vote.
No action since July 2025
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-35.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
House Veterans’ Affairs Committee members advanced the Veterans’ ACCESS Act, which revises eligibility standards for community care. Supporters say it simplifies the process, while critics argue it opens the door for private-sector providers to avoid oversight and training standards.
Republican leaders introduced the Veterans' ACCESS Act, which includes a three-year pilot program allowing veterans to access private mental health and substance use services without a VA referral or preauthorization, potentially bypassing the VA system entirely.
The Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 proposes a pilot program for unlimited private-sector mental health appointments without VA authorization. Critics warn this could cost taxpayers billions and dismantle the integrated VA system by shifting care to unmonitored community providers.
No votes recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025
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