I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 740 
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 
JANUARY 28, 2025 
Mr. BOST (for himself, Mr. BERGMAN, Mr. HAMADEH of Arizona, Mrs. MIL-
LER-MEEKS, Mr. BARRETT, Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia, and Mrs. KING- 
HINDS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee 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 
‘‘Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support 
Servicemembers Act of 2025’’ or the ‘‘Veterans’ ACCESS 
Act of 2025’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
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Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—IMPROVEMENT OF VETERANS COMMUNITY CARE 
PROGRAM 
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, continuity of 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. Extension of deadline for submittal of claims by health care entities 
and providers under prompt payment standard. 
TITLE II—MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT PROGRAMS 
Sec. 201. Definitions. 
Sec. 202. Standardized process to determine eligibility of covered veterans for 
participation in certain mental health treatment programs. 
Sec. 203. Improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Res-
idential Rehabilitation Treatment Program. 
TITLE III—OTHER HEALTH CARE MATTERS 
Sec. 301. Plan on establishment of interactive, online self-service module for 
care. 
Sec. 302. Modification of requirements for Center for Innovation for Care and 
Payment of the Department of Veterans Affairs and require-
ment for pilot program. 
Sec. 303. 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— 
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(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 
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 appointment for the covered veteran with a 
health care provider of the Department who can pro-
vide 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 
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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. 
‘‘(B) With respect to specialty care, if the De-
partment cannot schedule an appointment for the 
covered veteran with a health care provider of the 
Department who can provide the needed service— 
‘‘(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-
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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. 
‘‘(3) In the case of a covered veteran who has had 
an appointment with a health care provider of the Depart-
ment canceled by the Department for a reason other than 
the request of the veteran, in calculating a wait time for 
a subsequent appointment under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall calculate such wait time from the date of the 
request for the original, canceled appointment. 
‘‘(4) If a veteran agrees to a longer average drive 
time or a later date under subparagraph (A) or (B) of 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall document the agree-
ment to such longer average drive time or later date in 
the electronic health record of the veteran and provide the 
veteran a copy of such documentation. Such copy may be 
provided electronically. 
‘‘(b) APPLICATION.—The Secretary shall ensure that 
the eligibility access standards established under sub-
section (a) apply— 
‘‘(1) to all care and services within the medical 
benefits package of the Department to which a cov-
ered veteran is eligible under section 1703 of this 
title, excluding nursing home care; and 
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‘‘(2) to all covered veterans, regardless of 
whether a veteran is a new or established patient. 
‘‘(c) PERIODIC REVIEW OF ACCESS STANDARDS.— 
Not later than three years after the date of the enactment 
of the Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to 
Support Servicemembers Act of 2025, and not less fre-
quently 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 
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‘‘(C) other entities that are not part of the 
Federal Government; and 
‘‘(2) submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report on— 
‘‘(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 redesignated by para-
graph (3)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
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(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’’ 
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 (3)— 
(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— 
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(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 
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 the 
Secretary is aware that the veteran is seeking care or serv-
ices and is eligible for such care or services under this 
section. 
‘‘(B) With respect to each covered veteran eligible for 
care or services under subsection (d), the Secretary shall 
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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.’’. 
SEC. 103. CONSIDERATION UNDER VETERANS COMMUNITY 
CARE PROGRAM OF VETERAN PREFERENCE 
FOR CARE, CONTINUITY OF CARE, AND NEED 
FOR CAREGIVER OR ATTENDANT. 
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) Continuity of care. 
‘‘(H) 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— 
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(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 
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— 
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(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 
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. 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’’. 
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TITLE II—MENTAL HEALTH 
TREATMENT PROGRAMS 
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) COVERED
TREATMENT
PROGRAM.—The 
term ‘‘covered treatment program’’— 
(A) means— 
(i) a mental health residential reha-
bilitation treatment program of the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs; or 
(ii) a program of the Department for 
residential care for mental health and sub-
stance abuse disorders; 
(B) includes— 
(i) the programs designated as of the 
date of the enactment of this Act as domi-
ciliary residential rehabilitation treatment 
programs; and 
(ii) any programs designated as domi-
ciliary residential rehabilitation treatment 
programs on or after such date of enact-
ment; and 
(C) does not include Compensated Work 
Therapy Transition Residence programs of the 
Department. 
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(2) COVERED
VETERAN.—The term ‘‘covered 
veteran’’ means a veteran described in section 
1703(b) of title 38, United States Code. 
(3) SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS.—The term ‘‘so-
cial support systems’’, with respect to a covered vet-
eran— 
(A) means— 
(i) a member of the family of the cov-
ered veteran, including a parent, spouse, 
child, step-family member, or extended 
family member; or 
(ii) an individual who lives with the 
veteran but is not a member of the family 
of the veteran; and 
(B) does not include a facility-organized 
peer support program. 
(4) TREATMENT TRACK.—The term ‘‘treatment 
track’’ means a specialized treatment program that 
is provided to a subset of covered veterans in a cov-
ered treatment program who receive the same or 
similar intensive treatment and rehabilitative serv-
ices. 
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SEC. 202. 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 FOR PRIORITY ADMIS-
SION.— 
(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 established by the Secretary that 
include any of 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) Such other criteria as the Secretary 
determines appropriate. 
(2) CONSIDERATION.—In making a determina-
tion that a covered veteran meets criteria established 
by the Secretary under paragraph (1) for priority 
admission to a covered treatment program, the Sec-
retary shall consider any referral of a health care 
provider of a covered veteran. 
(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; 
(2) if 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; and 
(3) is screened at an appropriate time for po-
tential mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain in-
jury. 
(d) CONSIDERATIONS.—In making placement deci-
sions in a covered treatment program for veterans who 
meet criteria for priority admission, the Secretary shall— 
(1) consider the input of the covered veteran 
with respect to the— 
(A) program specialty, subtype, and treat-
ment track offered to the covered veteran; and 
(B) geographic placement of the covered 
veteran; and 
(2) maximize the proximity of the covered vet-
eran to social support systems. 
(e) CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH CARE SHALL BE 
FURNISHED THROUGH NON-DEPARTMENT PROVIDERS.— 
(1) PRIORITY ADMISSION.—If the Secretary de-
termines a covered veteran is eligible for priority ad-
mission to a covered treatment program pursuant to 
the standardized screening process required by sub-
section (a) and the Secretary is unable to admit 
such covered veteran to a covered treatment pro-
gram at a facility of the Department of Veterans Af-
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fairs in a manner that complies with the require-
ments under subsections (c) and (d), the Secretary 
shall offer the covered veteran the option to receive 
care at a non-Department facility that— 
(A) can admit the covered veteran within 
the period required by subsection (c); 
(B) is party to a contract or agreement 
with the Department or enters into such a con-
tract or agreement under which the Department 
furnishes a program that is equivalent to a cov-
ered treatment program to a veteran through 
such non-Department facility; 
(C) is licensed by a State; and 
(D) is accredited by the Commission on 
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities or the 
Joint Commission. 
(2) ROUTINE ADMISSION.—If the Secretary de-
termines a covered veteran is eligible for routine ad-
mission to a covered treatment program pursuant to 
the standardized screening process required by sub-
section (a) and the Secretary is unable to admit 
such covered veteran to a covered treatment pro-
gram at a facility of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs in a manner that complies with the access 
standards for mental health care established pursu-
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ant to section 1703B of title 38, United States 
Code, the Secretary shall offer the covered veteran 
the option to receive care at a non-Department facil-
ity that— 
(A) is party to a contract or agreement 
with the Department or enters into such a con-
tract or agreement under which the Department 
furnishes a program that is equivalent to a cov-
ered treatment program to a veteran through 
such non-Department facility; 
(B) is licensed by a State; and 
(C) is accredited by the Commission on Ac-
creditation of Rehabilitation Facilities or the 
Joint Commission. 
(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—This subsection 
shall not be construed to affect a covered veteran in 
a covered treatment program pursuant to a deter-
mination made on or before the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 203. IMPROVEMENTS TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS MENTAL HEALTH RESIDENTIAL RE-
HABILITATION TREATMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) PERFORMANCE METRICS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall develop metrics to track, and shall sub-
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sequently track, the performance of medical facilities 
and Veterans Integrated Service Networks of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs in meeting the re-
quirements for— 
(A) screening, under section 202, for a 
covered treatment program; and 
(B) timely admission to a covered treat-
ment program under such screening. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The metrics developed under 
paragraph (1) shall include metrics for tracking the 
performance of medical facilities and Veterans Inte-
grated Service Networks with respect to routine and 
priority admission under a covered treatment pro-
gram. 
(b) OVERSIGHT.—The Secretary shall develop a proc-
ess for systematically assessing the quality of care deliv-
ered by Department and non-Department providers treat-
ing covered veterans under this section, which shall in-
clude assessments of— 
(1) the extent to which the provider is deliv-
ering evidence-based treatments to covered veterans; 
(2) clinical outcomes for covered veterans; 
(3) the ratio of licensed independent practi-
tioners per resident; 
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(4) the rate of completion of training on mili-
tary cultural competence by licensed independent 
practitioners; and 
(5) potentially wasteful, fraudulent, or inappro-
priate referral or billing practices. 
(c) PLACEMENT; TRANSPORTATION.— 
(1) LOCATIONS.—If the Secretary determines 
that a covered veteran is in need of residential care 
under a covered treatment program, the Secretary 
shall provide to the covered veteran a list of loca-
tions at which such covered veteran can receive such 
residential care that meets— 
(A) the standards for screening under sec-
tion 202; and 
(B) the care needs of the covered veteran, 
including applicable treatment tracks. 
(2) TRANSPORTATION
COVERAGE.—The Sec-
retary shall provide transportation or pay for or re-
imburse the costs of transportation for any covered 
veteran who is admitted into a covered treatment 
program and needs transportation assistance— 
(A) from the residence of the covered vet-
eran or a facility of the Department or author-
ized non-Department facility that does not pro-
vide such care to another such facility that pro-
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vides residential care covered under a covered 
treatment program; and 
(B) back to the residence of the covered 
veteran after the conclusion of a covered treat-
ment program, if applicable. 
(d) APPEALS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall develop 
a national policy and associated procedures under 
which a covered veteran, a representative of a cov-
ered veteran, or a provider who requests a covered 
veteran be admitted to a covered treatment program, 
including a provider of the Department or a non-De-
partment provider, may file a clinical appeal pursu-
ant to this subsection if the covered veteran is— 
(A) denied admission into a covered treat-
ment program; or 
(B) accepted into a covered treatment pro-
gram but is not offered bed placement in a 
timely manner. 
(2) TIMELINESS STANDARDS FOR REVIEW.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The national policy and 
procedures developed under paragraph (1) for 
appeals described in such paragraph shall in-
clude timeliness standards for the Department 
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to review and make a decision on such an ap-
peal. 
(B) DECISION.—The Secretary shall re-
view and respond to any appeal under para-
graph (1) not later than 72 hours after the Sec-
retary receives such appeal. 
(3) PUBLIC
GUIDANCE.—The Secretary shall 
develop, and make available to the public, guidance 
on how a covered veteran, a representative of the 
covered veteran, or a provider of the covered veteran 
can file a clinical appeal pursuant to this sub-
section— 
(A) if the covered veteran is denied admis-
sion into a covered treatment program; 
(B) if the first date on which the covered 
veteran may enter a covered treatment program 
does not comply with the standards established 
by the Department under section 1703B of title 
38, United States Code, for purposes of deter-
mining eligibility for mental health care under 
subsections (d) and (e) of section 1703 of such 
title; or 
(C) with respect to such other factors as 
the Secretary may specify. 
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(4) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
subsection may be construed as granting a covered 
veteran the right to appeal a decision of the Sec-
retary with respect to admission to a covered treat-
ment program to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals 
under chapter 71 of title 38, United States Code. 
(e) TRACKING OF AVAILABILITY AND WAIT TIMES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, to the 
extent practicable, create a method for tracking 
availability and wait times under a covered treat-
ment program across all facilities of the Depart-
ment, Veterans Integrated Service Networks of the 
Department, 
and 
non-Department 
providers 
throughout the United States. 
(2) AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION.—The Sec-
retary shall, to the extent practicable, make the in-
formation tracked under paragraph (1) available in 
real time to— 
(A) the mental health treatment coordina-
tors at each facility of the Department; 
(B) the leadership of each medical center 
of the Department; 
(C) the leadership of each Veterans Inte-
grated Service Network; and 
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(D) the Office of the Under Secretary for 
Health of the Department. 
(f) TRAINING AND OVERSIGHT.— 
(1) TRAINING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall up-
date and implement training for staff of the 
Department directly involved in a covered treat-
ment program regarding referrals, screening, 
admission, placement decisions, and appeals for 
such program, including all changes to proc-
esses and guidance under such program re-
quired by this section and section 202. 
(B) COVERED VETERANS AWAITING ADMIS-
SION.—The training under subparagraph (A) 
shall include procedures for the care of covered 
veterans awaiting admission into a covered 
treatment program and communication with 
such covered veterans and the providers of such 
covered veterans. 
(C) TIMING OF TRAINING.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
require the training under subparagraph 
(A) to be completed by staff required to 
complete such training— 
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(I) not later than 60 days after 
beginning employment at the Depart-
ment in a position that includes work 
directly involving a covered treatment 
program; and 
(II) not less frequently than an-
nually. 
(ii) TRACKING.—The Secretary shall 
track completion of training required 
under clause (i) by staff required to com-
plete such training. 
(2) OVERSIGHT
STANDARDS.—The Secretary 
shall review and revise oversight standards for the 
leadership of the Veterans Integrated Service Net-
works and the Veterans Health Administration to 
ensure that facilities and staff of the Department 
are adhering to the policy on access to care of each 
covered treatment program. 
(g) CARE COORDINATION AND FOLLOW-UP CARE.— 
(1) CONTINUITY OF CARE.—The Secretary shall 
ensure each covered veteran who is screened for ad-
mission to a covered treatment program is offered, 
and provided if agreed upon, care options during the 
period between screening of the covered veteran and 
admission of the covered veteran to such program to 
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ensure the covered veteran does not experience any 
lapse in care. 
(2) CARE COORDINATION FOR SUBSTANCE USE 
DISORDER.—For a covered veteran being treated for 
substance use disorder, the Secretary shall— 
(A) ensure there is a care plan in place 
during the period between any detoxification 
services or inpatient care received by the cov-
ered veteran and admission of the covered vet-
eran to a covered treatment program; and 
(B) communicate that care plan to the cov-
ered veteran, the primary care provider of the 
covered veteran, and the facility where the cov-
ered veteran is or will be residing under such 
program. 
(3) CARE PLANNING PRIOR TO DISCHARGE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in con-
sultation with the covered veteran and the 
treating providers of the covered veteran in a 
covered treatment program, shall ensure the 
completion of a care plan prior to the covered 
veteran being discharged from such program. 
(B) MATTERS
TO
BE
INCLUDED.—The 
care plan required under subparagraph (A) for 
a covered veteran shall include details on the 
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course of treatment for the covered veteran fol-
lowing completion of treatment under the cov-
ered treatment program, including any nec-
essary follow-up care. 
(C) SHARING OF CARE PLAN.—The care 
plan required under subparagraph (A) shall be 
shared with the covered veteran, the primary 
care provider of the covered veteran, and any 
other providers with which the covered veteran 
consents to sharing the plan. 
(D) DISCHARGE FROM NON-DEPARTMENT 
FACILITY.—Upon discharge of a covered vet-
eran under a covered treatment program from 
a non-Department facility, the facility shall 
share with the Department all care records 
maintained by the facility with respect to the 
covered veteran and shall work in consultation 
with the Department on the care plan of the 
covered veteran required under subparagraph 
(A). 
(h) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) REPORT
ON
MODIFICATIONS
TO
PRO-
GRAMS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than two 
years after the date of the enactment of this 
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Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives a report on modifica-
tions made to the guidance, operation, and 
oversight of covered treatment programs to ful-
fill the requirements of this section. 
(B) ELEMENTS.—The report required by 
subparagraph (A) shall include— 
(i) an assessment of whether costs of 
covered treatment programs, including for 
residential care provided through facilities 
of the Department and non-Department 
facilities, serve as a disincentive to place-
ment in the such a program; 
(ii) a description of actions taken by 
the Department to address the findings 
and recommendations by the Secretary 
contained in the report under section 
503(c) of the STRONG Veterans Act of 
2022 (division V of Public Law 117–328; 
136 Stat. 5515), including— 
(I) such actions with respect to— 
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(aa) 
any 
new 
locations 
added for covered treatment pro-
grams; 
(bb) any beds added at ex-
isting facilities of such programs; 
and 
(cc) any additional treat-
ment tracks or sex-specific pro-
grams created or added at facili-
ties of the Department; and 
(II) a breakdown of the number 
and percentage of covered veterans 
who are determined eligible for pri-
ority placement into a covered treat-
ment program and the number and 
percentage of covered veterans who 
are determined eligible for routine 
placement into a covered treatment 
program; and 
(iii) such recommendations as the 
Secretary may have for legislative or ad-
ministrative action to address any funding 
constraints or disincentives for use of a 
covered treatment program. 
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(2) ANNUAL REPORT ON OPERATION OF PRO-
GRAMS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the submission of the report under para-
graph (1), and not less frequently than annu-
ally thereafter during the period in which a cov-
ered treatment program is carried out, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Represent-
atives a report on the operation of such pro-
grams. 
(B) ELEMENTS.—Subject to subparagraph 
(C), each report required by subparagraph (A) 
shall include the following: 
(i) The number of covered veterans 
served by a covered treatment program, 
disaggregated by— 
(I) Veterans Integrated Service 
Network in which the covered veteran 
receives care; 
(II) facility, including facilities of 
the Department and non-Department 
facilities, at which the covered veteran 
receives care; 
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(III) type of residential rehabili-
tation treatment care received by the 
covered veteran under such program; 
(IV) sex of the covered veteran; 
and 
(V) race or ethnicity of the cov-
ered veteran. 
(ii) Wait times under a covered treat-
ment program for the most recent year 
data is available, disaggregated by— 
(I) treatment track or specificity 
of residential rehabilitation treatment 
care sought by the covered veteran; 
(II) sex of the covered veteran; 
(III) State or territory in which 
the covered veteran is located; 
(IV) Veterans Integrated Service 
Network in which the covered veteran 
is located; and 
(V) facility of the Department at 
which the covered veteran seeks care. 
(iii) A list of all locations of a covered 
treatment program and number of bed 
spaces at each such location, disaggregated 
by residential rehabilitation treatment care 
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or treatment track provided under such 
program at such location. 
(iv) A list of any new locations of cov-
ered treatment programs added or removed 
and any bed spaces added or removed dur-
ing the one-year period preceding the date 
of the report. 
(v) Average cost of a stay under a 
covered treatment program, including total 
stay average and daily average, at facilities 
of the Department compared to non-De-
partment facilities. 
(vi) A review of staffing needs and 
gaps with respect to covered treatment 
programs. 
(vii) 
Any 
recommendations 
for 
changes to the operation of covered treat-
ment 
programs, 
including 
any 
policy 
changes, 
guidance 
changes, 
training 
changes, or other changes. 
(C) ANONYMITY.—To ensure that the data 
provided under this paragraph, or some portion 
of that data, will not undermine the anonymity 
of a veteran, the Secretary shall provide such 
data pursuant to applicable Federal law and in 
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a manner that is wholly consistent with applica-
ble Federal privacy and confidentiality laws, in-
cluding— 
(i) section 552a of title 5, United 
States Code (commonly known as the ‘‘Pri-
vacy Act of 1974’’); 
(ii) the Health Insurance Portability 
and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public 
Law 104–191); 
(iii) parts 160 and 164 of title 45, 
Code of Federal Regulations, or successor 
regulations; and 
(iv) sections 5701, 5705, and 7332 of 
title 38, United States Code. 
(i) REVISION OF GUIDANCE.—The Secretary shall 
update the guidance of the Department on the operation 
of covered treatment programs to reflect each of the re-
quirements under subsections (b) through (h). 
(j) DEADLINE.—The Secretary shall carry out each 
requirement under this section by not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, unless other-
wise specified. 
(k) COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than two years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
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Comptroller General of the United States shall re-
view access to care under a covered treatment pro-
gram for covered veterans in need of residential 
mental health care and substance use disorder care. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The review required by para-
graph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) A review of wait times under a covered 
treatment program, disaggregated by— 
(i) treatment track or specificity of 
residential rehabilitation treatment care 
needed; 
(ii) sex of the covered veteran; 
(iii) home State of the covered vet-
eran; 
(iv) home Veterans Integrated Service 
Network of the covered veteran; and 
(v) wait times for— 
(I) facilities of the Department; 
and 
(II) non-Department facilities. 
(B) A review of policy and training of the 
Department on screening, admission, and place-
ment under a covered treatment program. 
(C) A review of the rights of covered vet-
erans and providers to appeal admission deci-
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sions under a covered treatment program and 
how the Department adjudicates appeals. 
(D) When determining the facility at which 
a covered veteran admitted to a covered treat-
ment program will be placed in such program, 
a review of how the input of the covered veteran 
is taken into consideration with respect to— 
(i) program specialty, subtype, or 
treatment track offered to the covered vet-
eran; and 
(ii) the geographic placement of the 
covered veteran, including family- or occu-
pation-related 
preferences 
or 
cir-
cumstances. 
(E) A review of staffing and staffing needs 
and gaps of covered treatment programs, in-
cluding with respect to— 
(i) mental health providers and coor-
dinators at the facility level; 
(ii) staff of facilities of such pro-
grams; 
(iii) staff of Veterans Integrated Serv-
ice Networks; and 
(iv) overall administration of such 
programs at the national level. 
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(F) Recommendations for improvement of 
access by covered veterans to care under a cov-
ered treatment program, including with respect 
to— 
(i) any new sites or types of programs 
needed or in development; 
(ii) changes in training or policy; 
(iii) changes in communications with 
covered veterans; and 
(iv) oversight of covered treatment 
programs by the Department. 
TITLE III—OTHER HEALTH CARE 
MATTERS 
SEC. 301. 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 
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Department or through a non-Department provider, 
and receive appointment reminders; 
(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 
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Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a 
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. 302. 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)— 
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(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘; 
and’’ and inserting a semicolon; 
(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 
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(B) in paragraph (2), in the matter pre-
ceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘waiving 
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 
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agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other 
public and private sector entities, including 
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-
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ments under section 1703E of title 38, United 
States Code, as amended by subsection (a); and 
(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. 
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(B) Areas with high rates of suicide among 
veterans. 
(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; 
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(C) continuous assessment of patient needs 
and goals; and 
(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: 
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(i) The number of unique veterans 
who participated in the pilot program. 
(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 
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the toll-free hotline for veterans established under 
section 1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 303. 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: 
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