I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION H. R. 10267 
To improve the provision of care and services under the Veterans Community 
Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 3, 2024 
Mr. BOST (for himself and Mr. BILIRAKIS) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To improve the provision of care and services under the 
Veterans Community Care Program of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Complete the Mission Act of 2024’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—IMPROVEMENT OF VETERANS COMMUNITY CARE 
PROGRAM 
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Sec. 101. Codification of requirements for eligibility standards for access to 
community care from Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 102. Requirement that Secretary notify veterans of eligibility for care 
under Veterans Community Care Program. 
Sec. 103. Consideration under Veterans Community Care Program of veteran 
preference for care and need for caregiver or attendant. 
Sec. 104. Notification of denial of request for care under Veterans Community 
Care Program. 
Sec. 105. Discussion of telehealth options under Veterans Community Care 
Program. 
Sec. 106. Use of value-based reimbursement models under Veterans Community 
Care Program. 
Sec. 107. Extension of deadline for submittal of claims by health care entities 
and providers under prompt payment standard. 
TITLE II—OTHER HEALTH CARE MATTERS 
Sec. 201. Plan on establishment of interactive, online self-service module for 
care. 
Sec. 202. Publication of wait times for care at medical centers of Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 203. Modification of requirements for Center for Innovation for Care and 
Payment of the Department of Veterans Affairs and require-
ment for pilot program. 
Sec. 204. Standardized process to determine eligibility of covered veterans for 
participation in certain mental health treatment programs. 
Sec. 205. Reports. 
TITLE I—IMPROVEMENT OF VET-
ERANS 
COMMUNITY 
CARE 
PROGRAM 
SEC. 101. CODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGI-
BILITY STANDARDS FOR ACCESS TO COMMU-
NITY CARE FROM DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) 
ELIGIBILITY
ACCESS
STANDARDS.—Section 
1703B of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (a) through (e) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS FOR ACCESS TO COM-
MUNITY CARE.—(1) A covered veteran shall be eligible to 
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elect to receive non-Department hospital care, medical 
services, or extended care services, excluding nursing home 
care, through the Veterans Community Care Program 
under section 1703 of this title pursuant to subsection 
(d)(1)(D) of such section using the following eligibility ac-
cess standards: 
‘‘(A) With respect to primary care, mental 
health care, or extended care services, excluding 
nursing home care, if the Department cannot sched-
ule an in-person appointment for the covered veteran 
with a health care provider of the Department who 
can provide the needed service— 
‘‘(i) within 30 minutes average driving 
time (or such shorter average driving time as 
the Secretary may prescribe) from the residence 
of the veteran unless a longer average driving 
time has been agreed to by the veteran in con-
sultation with a health care provider of the vet-
eran; and 
‘‘(ii) within 20 days (or such shorter pe-
riod as the Secretary may prescribe) of the date 
of request for such an appointment unless a 
later date has been agreed to by the veteran in 
consultation with a health care provider of the 
veteran. 
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‘‘(B) With respect to specialty care, if the De-
partment cannot schedule an in-person appointment 
for the covered veteran with a health care provider 
of the Department who can provide the needed serv-
ice— 
‘‘(i) within 60 minutes average driving 
time (or such shorter average driving time as 
the Secretary may prescribe) from the residence 
of the veteran unless a longer average driving 
time has been agreed to by the veteran in con-
sultation with a health care provider of the vet-
eran; and 
‘‘(ii) within 28 days (or such shorter pe-
riod as the Secretary may prescribe) of the date 
of request for such an appointment unless a 
later date has been agreed to by the veteran in 
consultation with a health care provider of the 
veteran. 
‘‘(2) For the purposes of determining the eligibility 
of a covered veteran for care or services under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary shall not take into consideration the 
availability of telehealth appointments from the Depart-
ment when determining whether the Department is able 
to furnish such care or services in a manner that complies 
with the eligibility access standards under such paragraph. 
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of the Complete the Mission Act of 2024, and not less 
frequently than once every three years thereafter, the Sec-
retary shall— 
‘‘(1) conduct a review of the eligibility access 
standards under subsection (a) in consultation 
with— 
‘‘(A) such Federal entities as the Secretary 
considers appropriate, including the Depart-
ment of Defense, the Department of Health and 
Human Services, and the Centers for Medicare 
& Medicaid Services; 
‘‘(B) entities and individuals in the private 
sector, including— 
‘‘(i) veteran patients; 
‘‘(ii) veterans service organizations; 
and 
‘‘(iii) health care providers partici-
pating in the Veterans Community Care 
Program under section 1703 of this title; 
and 
‘‘(C) other entities that are not part of the 
Federal Government; and 
‘‘(2) submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report on— 
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‘‘(A) the findings of the Secretary with re-
spect to the review conducted under paragraph 
(1); and 
‘‘(B) such recommendations as the Sec-
retary may have with respect to the eligibility 
access standards under subsection (a).’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (g); 
(3) by redesignating subsections (f), (h), and (i) 
as subsections (d), (e), and (f), respectively; 
(4) in subsection (d), as redesignated by para-
graph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘established’’ each place it 
appears; and 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘(1) 
Subject to’’ and inserting ‘‘COMPLIANCE
BY 
COMMUNITY CARE PROVIDERS WITH ACCESS 
STANDARDS.—(1) Subject to’’; 
(5) in subsection (e), as so redesignated— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘(1) Consistent with’’ 
and inserting ‘‘DETERMINATION REGARD-
ING ELIGIBILITY.—(1) Consistent with’’; 
and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘designated access 
standards established under this section’’ 
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and inserting ‘‘eligibility access standards 
under subsection (a)’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ‘‘des-
ignated access standards established under this 
section’’ and inserting ‘‘eligibility access stand-
ards under subsection (a)’’; and 
(6) in subsection (f), as redesignated by para-
graph (2)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘In this section’’ and inserting 
‘‘DEFINITIONS.—In this section’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘covered veterans’’ and 
inserting ‘‘covered veteran’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘veterans described’’ 
and inserting ‘‘a veteran described’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 1703(d) 
of such title is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(D), by striking ‘‘des-
ignated access standards developed by the Secretary 
under section 1703B of this title’’ and inserting ‘‘eli-
gibility access standards under section 1703B(a) of 
this title’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘designated 
access standards developed by the Secretary under 
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section 1703B of this title’’ and inserting ‘‘eligibility 
access standards under section 1703B(a) of this 
title’’. 
SEC. 102. REQUIREMENT THAT SECRETARY NOTIFY VET-
ERANS OF ELIGIBILITY FOR CARE UNDER 
VETERANS COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM. 
Section 1703(a) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(5)(A) The Secretary shall notify each covered vet-
eran in writing of the eligibility of such veteran for care 
or services under this section as soon as possible, but not 
later than two business days, after the date on which a 
veteran eligible for such care or services under this section 
seeks care or services. 
‘‘(B) With respect to each covered veteran eligible for 
care or services under subsection (d), the Secretary shall 
provide such veteran periodic reminders, as the Secretary 
determines appropriate, of their ongoing eligibility under 
such subsection. 
‘‘(C) Any notification or reminder under this para-
graph may be provided electronically.’’. 
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SEC. 103. CONSIDERATION UNDER VETERANS COMMUNITY 
CARE PROGRAM OF VETERAN PREFERENCE 
FOR CARE AND NEED FOR CAREGIVER OR AT-
TENDANT. 
Section 1703(d)(2) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
‘‘(F) The preference of the covered veteran for 
where, when, and how to seek hospital care, medical 
services, or extended care services. 
‘‘(G) Whether the covered veteran requests or 
requires the assistance of a caregiver or attendant 
when seeking hospital care, medical services, or ex-
tended care services.’’. 
SEC. 104. NOTIFICATION OF DENIAL OF REQUEST FOR 
CARE UNDER VETERANS COMMUNITY CARE 
PROGRAM. 
Section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (o) as sub-
section (p); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (n) the fol-
lowing new subsection (o): 
‘‘(o) NOTIFICATION OF DENIAL OF REQUEST FOR 
CARE AND HOW TO APPEAL.—(1) If a request by a vet-
eran for care or services under this section is denied, the 
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Secretary shall notify the veteran in writing as soon as 
possible, but not later than two business days, after the 
denial is made— 
‘‘(A) of the reason for the denial; and 
‘‘(B) with instructions on how to appeal such 
denial using the clinical appeals process of the Vet-
erans Health Administration. 
‘‘(2) If a denial under paragraph (1) is due to not 
meeting the eligibility access standards under section 
1703B(a) of this title, notice under such paragraph shall 
include an explanation for why the Secretary does not con-
sider the veteran to have met such standards. 
‘‘(3) Any notification under this subsection may be 
provided electronically.’’. 
SEC. 105. DISCUSSION OF TELEHEALTH OPTIONS UNDER 
VETERANS COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM. 
Section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, as 
amended by section 104, is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (p) as sub-
section (q); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (o) the fol-
lowing new subsection (p): 
‘‘(p) DISCUSSION OF OPTIONS FOR TELEHEALTH.— 
When discussing options for care or services for a covered 
veteran under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that 
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the veteran is informed of the ability of the veteran to 
seek care or services via telehealth, either through a med-
ical facility of the Department or under this section, if 
telehealth— 
‘‘(1) is available to the veteran; 
‘‘(2) is appropriate for the type of care or serv-
ices the veteran is seeking, as determined by the 
Secretary; and 
‘‘(3) is acceptable to the veteran.’’. 
SEC. 106. USE OF VALUE-BASED REIMBURSEMENT MODELS 
UNDER VETERANS COMMUNITY CARE PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1703(i)(5) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘may’’ and 
inserting ‘‘shall’’. 
(b) NEGOTIATION OF TERMS.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall negotiate with Third Party Administra-
tors to establish the use of value-based reimbursement 
models under the Veterans Community Care Program 
under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, pursu-
ant to the amendment made by subsection (a). 
(c) REPORT
ON VALUE-BASED REIMBURSEMENT 
MODELS.—Not later than one year after negotiating 
under subsection (b) terms to establish the use of value- 
based reimbursement models under the Veterans Commu-
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nity Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United 
States Code, the Secretary, in consultation with the Cen-
ter for Innovation for Care and Payment of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs under section 1703E of title 38, 
United States Code, and the Office of Integrated Veteran 
Care of the Department, or successor office, shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report containing— 
(1) an assessment of the efforts of the Depart-
ment pursuant to section 1703(i)(5) of such title, as 
amended by subsection (a), to incorporate value- 
based reimbursement models to promote the provi-
sion of high-quality care to veterans; and 
(2) such recommendations for legislative or ad-
ministrative action as the Secretary considers appro-
priate to increase the use of value-based reimburse-
ment models throughout the Veterans Community 
Care Program under section 1703 of such title. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—This section shall not 
be construed to be a pilot program subject to the require-
ments of section 1703E of title 38, United States Code. 
(e) THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘Third Party Administrator’’ means 
an entity that manages a provider network and performs 
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administrative services related to such network under sec-
tion 1703 of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTAL OF 
CLAIMS BY HEALTH CARE ENTITIES AND 
PROVIDERS 
UNDER 
PROMPT 
PAYMENT 
STANDARD. 
Section 1703D(b) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘180 days’’ and inserting ‘‘one year’’. 
TITLE II—OTHER HEALTH CARE 
MATTERS 
SEC. 201. PLAN ON ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERACTIVE, ON-
LINE SELF-SERVICE MODULE FOR CARE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs, working with Third Party Administrators and acting 
through the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 
1703E of title 38, United States Code, shall develop and 
implement a plan to establish an interactive, online self- 
service module— 
(1) to allow veterans to request appointments, 
track referrals for health care under the laws admin-
istered by the Secretary, whether at a facility of the 
Department or through a non-Department provider, 
and receive appointment reminders; 
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(2) to allow veterans to appeal and track deci-
sions relating to— 
(A) denials of requests for care or services 
under section 1703 of title 38, United States 
Code; or 
(B) denials of requests for care or services 
at facilities of the Department, including under 
section 1710 of such title; and 
(3) to implement such other matters as deter-
mined appropriate by the Secretary in consultation 
with Third Party Administrators. 
(b) SUBMITTAL OF PLAN.— 
(1) INITIAL PLAN.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives the 
plan developed under subsection (a). 
(2) QUARTERLY UPDATE.—Not less frequently 
than quarterly following the submittal of the plan 
under paragraph (1) and for two years thereafter, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a 
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report containing any updates on the implementa-
tion of such plan. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—This section shall not 
be construed to be a pilot program subject to the require-
ments of section 1703E of title 38, United States Code. 
(d) THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘Third Party Administrator’’ means 
an entity that manages a provider network and performs 
administrative services related to such network under sec-
tion 1703 of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 202. PUBLICATION OF WAIT TIMES FOR CARE AT MED-
ICAL CENTERS OF DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 
38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after sec-
tion 1703F the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1703G. Publication of wait times for care at med-
ical centers 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall publish on 
a publicly available internet website of the Department the 
average wait time for a veteran to schedule an appoint-
ment at each medical center of the Department for the 
receipt of primary care, specialty care, and mental health 
care measured from the date of request for the appoint-
ment to the date on which the care was provided. 
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‘‘(b) UPDATE.—The Secretary shall update the wait 
times published under subsection (a) not less frequently 
than monthly.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such subchapter is amended by insert-
ing after the item relating to section 1703F the following 
new item: 
‘‘1703G. Publication of wait times for care at medical centers.’’. 
SEC. 203. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR CENTER 
FOR INNOVATION FOR CARE AND PAYMENT 
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS AND REQUIREMENT FOR PILOT PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1703E of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘within 
the Department’’ and inserting ‘‘within the Of-
fice of the Secretary’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘may’’ 
and inserting ‘‘shall’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘; 
and’’ and inserting a semicolon; 
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(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; 
and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new subparagraph: 
‘‘(C) increase productivity, efficiency, and mod-
ernization throughout the Department.’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
following new subsection (d): 
‘‘(d) BUDGETARY LINE ITEM.—The Secretary shall 
include in the budget justification materials submitted to 
Congress in support of the budget of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for a fiscal year (as submitted with the 
budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31) 
specific identification, as a budgetary line item, of the 
amounts required to carry out this section.’’; 
(3) in subsection (f)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘in sub-
chapters I, II, and III of this chapter’’ and in-
serting ‘‘of this title, of title 38, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations, and of any handbooks, direc-
tives, or policy documents of the Department’’; 
and 
(B) in paragraph (2), in the matter pre-
ceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘waiving 
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any authority’’ and inserting ‘‘waiving any pro-
vision of this title’’; 
(4) in subsection (g)(1), by inserting ‘‘fewer 
than three or’’ before ‘‘more than 10’’; 
(5) in subsection (i)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘the 
Under Secretary for Health and the Special 
Medical Advisory Group established pursuant to 
section 7312 of this title’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
Under Secretary for Health, the Special Med-
ical Advisory Group established pursuant to 
section 7312 of this title, the Office of Inte-
grated Veteran Care (or successor office), the 
Office of Finance (or successor office), the Vet-
eran Experience Office (or successor office), the 
Office of Enterprise Integration (or successor 
office), and the Office of Information and Tech-
nology (or successor office)’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘rep-
resentatives of relevant Federal agencies, and 
clinical and analytical experts with expertise in 
medicine and health care management’’ and in-
serting ‘‘representatives of relevant Federal 
agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other 
public and private sector entities, including 
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those with clinical and analytical experts with 
expertise in medicine and health care manage-
ment’’; and 
(6) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(k) REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF CENTER FOR INNO-
VATION FOR CARE AND PAYMENT.—Not less frequently 
than annually, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report that contains, for the one-year period preceding the 
date of the report— 
‘‘(1) a full accounting of the activities, staff, 
budget, and other resources and efforts of the Cen-
ter; and 
‘‘(2) an assessment of the outcomes of the ef-
forts of the Center.’’. 
(b) COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT.—Not later 
than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
submit to Congress a report— 
(1) on the efforts of the Center for Innovation 
for Care and Payment of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs in fulfilling the objectives and require-
ments under section 1703E of title 38, United 
States Code, as amended by subsection (a); and 
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(2) containing such recommendations as the 
Comptroller General considers appropriate. 
(c) PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Cen-
ter for Innovation for Care and Payment of the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs under section 1703E 
of title 38, United States Code, shall establish a 
three-year pilot program in not fewer than five loca-
tions to allow veterans enrolled in the system of an-
nual patient enrollment of the Department estab-
lished and operated under section 1705(a) of such 
title to access outpatient mental health and sub-
stance use services through health care providers 
specified under section 1703(c) of such title without 
referral or pre-authorization. 
(2) PRIORITY.—In selecting sites for the pilot 
program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
prioritize sites in the following areas: 
(A) Areas with varying degrees of urban-
ization, including urban, rural, and highly rural 
areas. 
(B) Areas with high rates of suicide among 
veterans. 
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(C) Areas with high rates of overdose 
deaths among veterans. 
(D) Areas with high rates of calls to the 
Veterans Crisis Line. 
(E) Areas with long wait times for mental 
health and substance use services at facilities of 
the Department. 
(F) Areas with outpatient mental health 
and substance use programs that utilize a 
value-based care model, to the extent prac-
ticable. 
(3) ELEMENTS.—The Secretary, in imple-
menting the pilot program under paragraph (1), 
shall ensure the Department has a care coordination 
system in place that includes— 
(A) knowledge sharing, including the time-
ly exchange of medical documentation; 
(B) assistance with transitions of care, in-
cluding the potential need for inpatient or resi-
dential psychiatric services, substance use de-
toxification services, post-detoxification step- 
down services, and residential rehabilitation 
programs; 
(C) continuous assessment of patient needs 
and goals; and 
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(D) creating personalized, proactive care 
plans. 
(4) OVERSIGHT
AND
OUTCOMES.—The Sec-
retary shall develop appropriate metrics and meas-
ures— 
(A) to track and oversee sites at which the 
pilot program under paragraph (1) is carried 
out; 
(B) to monitor patient safety and out-
comes under the pilot program; and 
(C) to assess and mitigate any barriers to 
extending the pilot program across the entire 
Veterans Health Administration. 
(5) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the commencement of the pilot program 
under paragraph (1), and not less frequently 
than annually thereafter during the duration of 
the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Sen-
ate and Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives a report on the pilot 
program, which shall include the following: 
(i) The number of unique veterans 
who participated in the pilot program. 
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(ii) The number of health care pro-
viders who participated in the pilot pro-
gram. 
(iii) An assessment of the effective-
ness of the pilot program in increasing ac-
cess to, and improving outcomes for, men-
tal health and substance use treatment 
services. 
(iv) The cost of the pilot program. 
(v) Such other matters as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate. 
(B) FINAL REPORT.—The Secretary shall 
include in the final report submitted under sub-
paragraph (A), in addition to the requirements 
under such subparagraph, the assessment by 
the Secretary of the feasibility and advisability 
of extending the pilot program across the entire 
Veterans Health Administration, including a 
plan, timeline, and required resources for such 
an extension. 
(6) VETERANS CRISIS LINE DEFINED.—In this 
subsection, the term ‘‘Veterans Crisis Line’’ means 
the toll-free hotline for veterans established under 
section 1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code. 
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SEC. 204. STANDARDIZED PROCESS TO DETERMINE ELIGI-
BILITY OF COVERED VETERANS FOR PAR-
TICIPATION IN CERTAIN MENTAL HEALTH 
TREATMENT PROGRAMS. 
(a) STANDARDIZED
SCREENING
PROCESS.—Not 
later than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a 
standardized screening process to determine, based on 
clinical need, whether a covered veteran satisfies criteria 
for priority or routine admission to a covered treatment 
program. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Under the standardized 
screening process required by subsection (a), a cov-
ered veteran shall be eligible for priority admission 
to a covered treatment program if the covered vet-
eran meets criteria that include, but are not limited 
to, the following: 
(A) Symptoms that— 
(i) significantly affect activities of 
daily life; and 
(ii) increase the risk of such veteran 
for adverse outcomes. 
(B) An unsafe living situation. 
(C) A high-risk flag for suicide. 
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(D) A determination of being a high risk 
for suicide. 
(E) Risk factors for overdose. 
(F) Non-responsive, relapsed, or unable to 
find recovery from one other course of treat-
ment, such as outpatient or intensive outpatient 
treatment. 
(G) Other such criteria as the Secretary 
determines appropriate. 
(2) CONSIDERATION.—In making a determina-
tion under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall con-
sider any referral of a health care provider of a cov-
ered veteran for such covered veteran to be admitted 
to a covered treatment program. 
(c) TIME FOR SCREENING AND ADMISSION.—Under 
the standardized screening process required by subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall ensure a covered veteran— 
(1) is screened not later than 48 hours after the 
date on which the covered veteran, or a relevant 
health care provider, makes a request for the cov-
ered veteran to be admitted to a covered treatment 
program; and 
(2) determined eligible for priority admission to 
a covered treatment program is admitted to such 
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covered treatment program not later than 48 hours 
after the date of such determination. 
(d) ACCESS
STANDARDS
FOR
ROUTINE
ADMIS-
SION.—The Secretary shall include the standardized 
screening process under this section in the wait time ac-
cess standards for eligibility for mental health care under 
section 1703(d) of such title established by the Secretary 
under section 1703B of such title. 
(e) CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH CARE SHALL BE 
FURNISHED THROUGH NON-DEPARTMENT PROVIDERS.— 
If the Secretary determines a covered veteran to be eligible 
for either priority or routine admission to a covered treat-
ment program pursuant to the standardized screening 
process required by subsection (a), and the Secretary is 
unable to admit such covered veteran to a clinically nec-
essary covered treatment program at a facility of the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs within 30 minutes average 
driving time (or such shorter period as the Secretary may 
prescribe) of the veteran’s residence; and within 20 days 
(or such shorter period as the Secretary may prescribe) 
of the date of request for veterans eligible for routine ad-
mission, or within 48 hours (or such shorter period as the 
Secretary may prescribe) for veterans deemed eligible for 
priority admission unless a later date has been agreed to 
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by the veteran in consultation with their Department 
health care provider. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered treatment program’’— 
(A) means a mental health residential re-
habilitation treatment program of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; 
(B) a program of the Department for resi-
dential care for mental health and substance 
abuse disorders; 
(C) includes— 
(i) the programs designated as of the 
date of the enactment of this section as 
domiciliary residential rehabilitation treat-
ment programs; and 
(ii) any programs designated as domi-
ciliary residential rehabilitation treatment 
programs on or after such date of enact-
ment; and 
(D) does not include Compensated Work 
Therapy Transition Residence programs of the 
Department. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered veteran’’ means a vet-
eran described in section 1703(b) of title 38, United 
States Code. 
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SEC. 205. REPORTS. 
(a) REPORT ON IMPROVEMENTS TO CLINICAL AP-
PEALS PROCESS.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than 
once every three years thereafter, the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs, in consultation with veterans service organi-
zations, veterans, caregivers of veterans, employees of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, and other stakeholders 
as determined by the Secretary, shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a 
report containing recommendations for legislative or ad-
ministrative action to improve the clinical appeals process 
of the Department with respect to timeliness, trans-
parency, objectivity, consistency, and fairness. 
(b) REPORT
ON REQUIRED CARE
AND SERVICES 
UNDER COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM.—Not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
not less frequently than annually thereafter, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives a report that contains, for the one-year 
period preceding the date of the report, the following: 
(1) The number of veterans eligible for care or 
services under section 1703 of title 38, United 
States Code, and the reasons for such eligibility, in-
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