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Wounded Warrior Access Act
12/15/2023, 3:55 PM
Summary of Bill HR 1226
Specifically, the Wounded Warrior Access Act aims to expand the eligibility criteria for veterans to receive healthcare services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This includes allowing veterans who have received an other-than-honorable discharge to access mental health services and other healthcare benefits.
Additionally, the bill seeks to streamline the process for veterans to receive care by eliminating certain administrative barriers and increasing coordination between the VA and other healthcare providers. This is intended to ensure that wounded veterans receive timely and effective treatment for their physical and mental health needs. Overall, the Wounded Warrior Access Act is designed to support and care for those who have sacrificed for our country by improving their access to essential healthcare services. It is currently under review in Congress and has garnered bipartisan support for its efforts to better serve our nation's wounded warriors.
Congressional Summary of HR 1226
Wounded Warrior Access Act
This act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a secure online tool or website to enable a claimant or their representative to make records requests related to VA claims and benefits. Requests for records must specify in which format the copy is desired. The VA must notify a requester within 10 days that their request has been received and must fulfill the request within 120 days.
The act also requires the VA to ensure that each time a claimant logs in to a website or online tool of the VA, the website or online tool displays in plain language (1) a warning regarding violations of laws related to agents and attorneys, (2) a link to an online tool to report violations, (3) a link to an online tool to search for a VA-recognized agent or attorney, and (4) a link to a website or online tool providing final decisions on discipline of agents and attorneys for violations.
