Timothy Kennedy (D-NY)
VA Coaching into Care Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 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, known as the "VA Coaching into Care Act," directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create a pilot program. The program involves a toll-free hotline designed to provide mental and behavioral health support to the friends and families of veterans. This hotline will be staffed by Department of Veterans Affairs employees, specifically psychologists and social workers. These providers will offer advice on discussing mental health with veterans and provide referrals to various programs or entities. The Secretary must also conduct outreach through service organizations and various Department facilities. The pilot program is set to last for three years before terminating.
Yes
- Scored +7
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill establishes a toll-free hotline staffed by professionals to provide mental and behavioral health advice and referrals.
- Scored +6
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill creates a new pilot program to support the mental health needs of veterans' families and friends.
- Scored +5
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The program supports the stability of veterans' social networks by providing mental health guidance to their families.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Access to Professional Support: The program establishes a toll-free hotline staffed by licensed psychologists and social workers to provide mental and behavioral health support to eligible recipients (Section 2(a), Section 2(b)).
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Guidance for Families: Eligible recipients, such as family members, friends, or those living with a veteran, can receive specific advice on how to discuss mental and behavioral health topics with a veteran (Section 2(b)(2)(A), Section 2(f)).
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Resource Connections: The hotline will provide appropriate referrals to Department programs or non-Department entities that offer mental health services or resources (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
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Increased Awareness through Outreach: The Secretary is required to provide information to service organizations and distribute promotional materials like flyers and posters in Vet Centers or medical facilities to ensure people know about the service (Section 2(c)(1), Section 2(c)(2)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limited Duration of Support: The program is a pilot that is scheduled to terminate three years after it is established (Section 2(e)).
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.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill establishes a toll-free hotline staffed by professionals to provide mental and behavioral health advice and referrals.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill creates a new pilot program to support the mental health needs of veterans' families and friends.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The program supports the stability of veterans' social networks by providing mental health guidance to their families.
- 6/30/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 6/29/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/24/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in House
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan