Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act

3/11/2025, 8:06 AM

Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish care or services under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) to an eligible veteran with a service-connected mental disorder not later than five days after the veteran seeks care for such disorder. Current law requires the VA to establish access standards for furnishing hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under the VCCP to veterans who are (1) enrolled in the VA health care system, or (2) not enrolled but are in the 12-month period following their discharge from service and meet other requirements (e.g., having a service-connected disability).

Under the bill, the VA must modify its access standards for furnishing such care and services under the VCCP to require the provision of care or services not later than five days after an eligible veteran with a service-connected mental disorder rated at 50% or more seeks treatment for such disorder.

Bill 119 hr 241, also known as the "Veterans Mental Health Care Access Act," aims to amend title 38 of the United States Code to establish access standards for veterans with mental disorders receiving hospital care, medical services, or extended care services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The bill seeks to ensure that veterans with mental disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, have timely access to the mental health care services they need. It requires the VA to establish and maintain access standards for these services, including wait times for appointments and the availability of mental health care providers.

Additionally, the bill requires the VA to report to Congress on its compliance with these access standards and any challenges it faces in meeting them. This reporting will help ensure accountability and transparency in the VA's provision of mental health care services to veterans. Overall, Bill 119 hr 241 aims to improve access to mental health care services for veterans with mental disorders and ensure that they receive the timely and quality care they deserve.
Congress
119
Number
HR - 241
Introduced on
2025-01-09
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

1/9/2025
Text
PDF
XML

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish care or services under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) to an eligible veteran with a service-connected mental disorder not later than five days after the veteran seeks care for such disorder. Current law requires the VA to establish access standards for furnishing hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under the VCCP to veterans who are (1) enrolled in the VA health care system, or (2) not enrolled but are in the 12-month period following their discharge from service and meet other requirements (e.g., having a service-connected disability).

Under the bill, the VA must modify its access standards for furnishing such care and services under the VCCP to require the provision of care or services not later than five days after an eligible veteran with a service-connected mental disorder rated at 50% or more seeks treatment for such disorder.

Bill 119 hr 241, also known as the "Veterans Mental Health Care Access Act," aims to amend title 38 of the United States Code to establish access standards for veterans with mental disorders receiving hospital care, medical services, or extended care services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The bill seeks to ensure that veterans with mental disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, have timely access to the mental health care services they need. It requires the VA to establish and maintain access standards for these services, including wait times for appointments and the availability of mental health care providers.

Additionally, the bill requires the VA to report to Congress on its compliance with these access standards and any challenges it faces in meeting them. This reporting will help ensure accountability and transparency in the VA's provision of mental health care services to veterans. Overall, Bill 119 hr 241 aims to improve access to mental health care services for veterans with mental disorders and ensure that they receive the timely and quality care they deserve.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for access standards with respect to the provision by the Department of Veterans Affairs of hospital care, medical services, or extended care services that are applicable to certain veterans with mental disorders.
Policy Areas
Armed Forces and National Security
Potential Impact
Health care coverage and access•
Mental health•
Veterans' medical care

Comments

Related

Member:  
Rudy Yakym III
Committee:  
Veterans' Affairs

Recent Activity

Latest Summary2/27/2025

Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish care or services under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) to an eligible veteran w...

Latest Action2/11/2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.