Thomas Kean (R-NJ)
Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act of 2026. It directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve mental health care for veterans by setting a minimum requirement for the number of Vet Centers in each State. Within one year of the bill's enactment, the Secretary must ensure that each State meets these new minimum numbers. For contiguous States, the minimum is based on land area or the number of veterans living in the State. For non-contiguous States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other territories, the minimum is at least one Vet Center or the number that was located there on January 1, 2020. The Secretary is allowed to use facilities made available by State, local, or tribal governments, and can establish Vet Center outstations under certain conditions.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +9
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill provides significant direct benefits to veterans by guaranteeing minimum access to mental health services.
- Scored +8
Does this help veterans get medical care?
By establishing minimum numbers of Vet Centers per state, the bill significantly enhances the availability of specialized healthcare for veterans.
- Scored +7
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill mandates minimum requirements for Vet Centers to ensure increased access to mental health care for veterans.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Better access to mental health care for veterans: Section 2 requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a minimum number of Vet Centers per State within one year. This ensures that veterans have guaranteed access to these facilities based on land area or veteran population.
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Flexible facility use: Section 2(c)(2) allows the Secretary to establish new Vet Centers at facilities provided by State, local governments, or federally recognized Indian tribes. This could make it easier and more practical to set up centers where they are needed most.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline potential negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill provides significant direct benefits to veterans by guaranteeing minimum access to mental health services. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically allows for collaboration with federally recognized Indian tribes to establish facilities. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The land area-based calculation helps ensure better coverage for veterans living in large, less populated areas.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — By establishing minimum numbers of Vet Centers per state, the bill significantly enhances the availability of specialized healthcare for veterans. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill mandates minimum requirements for Vet Centers to ensure increased access to mental health care for veterans.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill enhances veteran benefits by ensuring more localized and consistent access to mental health facilities.
- 9/7/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 8/27/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
Sean CastenDemocrat · Illinois
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington