Veterans ACCESS Act of 2025

Original title: Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025

Last action · July 30, 2025: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.Sponsors: Jerry Moran and 15 others

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Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Would Do

This bill proposes changes to the Veterans to standardize how veterans qualify for non-VA medical care. It sets specific driving time and wait-time limits for appointments and requires the VA to improve communication regarding care options, mental health programs, and telehealth.

Why it matters

The bill establishes federal law for when veterans can seek private-sector medical care at government expense based on specific wait times and travel distances, impacting how and where millions of veterans receive healthcare services.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Veterans

Veterans' eligibility for private-sector care and their rights to notification and scheduling are defined by these new standards.

Directly affected

Department of Veterans Affairs

Directly affected

Private health care providers

Providers participating in the Veterans Community Care Program will be subject to updated prompt payment standards and reporting requirements.

Key Facts

Sets primary care eligibility for private care at 30 minutes driving time or 20 days wait time.
Sets specialty care eligibility for private care at 60 minutes driving time or 28 days wait time.
Prohibits the VA from using telehealth availability to disqualify a veteran from seeking in-person community care.
Requires the VA to calculate wait times from the original request date if the VA cancels an appointment.

Show all 10 facts

Mandates that any agreement by a veteran to accept longer drive times or later dates must be documented in their electronic health record.
Requires the VA to notify veterans of their eligibility for the Community Care Program.
Requires the VA to provide formal notification when a request for community care is denied.
Mandates a periodic review of access standards every three years, including consultation with private sector entities and veterans service organizations.
Requires the VA to establish a standardized process for determining eligibility for mental health treatment programs.
Directs the creation of an interactive, online self-service module for veteran care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill change how I qualify for private care?

Yes, it codifies specific standards: if the VA cannot provide primary care within 30 minutes or 20 days, or specialty care within 60 minutes or 28 days, you may be eligible for community care.

Can the VA deny me community care because they offer telehealth?

No, the bill explicitly states the VA cannot consider the availability of telehealth when determining if they meet the in-person access standards.

What happens if the VA cancels my appointment?

The bill requires the VA to calculate your wait time starting from the date of your original appointment request, rather than the date of the rescheduled appointment.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

4 actions

Jul 30, 2025Senate
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Mar 11, 2025Senate
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-35.
Jan 28, 2025SenateCommittee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 28, 2025SenateIntroduced
Introduced in Senate

Version history

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