Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 15 Republican cosponsors · See all 15 cosponsors
Last activity — Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
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
The Veterans' Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025 aims to improve how the Department of Veterans Affairs provides care through the Veterans Community Care Program. It establishes specific eligibility standards based on driving time and appointment availability for primary, mental health, and specialty care. The bill also creates a standardized screening and admission process for mental health residential treatment programs to prioritize those in high-risk situations. Additionally, it introduces requirements for notifying veterans of their eligibility and any denials of care. The legislation includes provisions for developing an online self-service module to help veterans manage appointments and referrals. Finally, it mandates various reports and reviews to ensure accountability and the effectiveness of these healthcare improvements.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill establishes a standardized screening process to prioritize admission for veterans with high-symptom risks such as suicide or unsafe living situations.
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill enhances veteran healthcare access through stricter eligibility standards, improved mental health screening, and better appointment management tools.
- Scored +8
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill significantly improves access to community care, mental health residential treatment, and appointment management 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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Improved Access to Care via Clear Standards: The bill sets specific requirements for driving time and appointment waiting periods for primary, mental health, and specialty care, which may help veterans receive quicker access to medical services (Section 101).
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Timely Notification of Eligibility: The Secretary is required to notify eligible veterans in writing within two business days of learning they are seeking care, ensuring veterans know their options sooner (Section �102).
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Clearer Denial and Appeal Processes: If a request for care is denied, the Secretary must provide the reason and instructions on how to appeal within two business days, which helps veterans understand their rights (Section 104).
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Enhanced Mental Health Support: The bill establishes a standardized screening process to ensure veterans with high-risk symptoms, such as suicide risk or unsafe living situations, can receive priority admission to treatment programs (Section 202.b).
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Improved Continuity of Care: For those in mental health programs, the bill requires the Secretary to ensure care options are provided during the period between screening and admission to prevent lapses in care (Section 203.g).
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Easier Appointment Management: The creation of an interactive, online self-service module will allow veterans to request appointments, track referrals, and receive reminders (Section 301).
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Reduced Financial Burdens for Transportation: For veterans admitted to mental health treatment programs, the Secretary must provide transportation or reimburse the costs to and from the facility (Section 203.c).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Delays via Self-Agreed Exceptions: The eligibility standards for quicker care may not apply if a veteran agrees to a longer driving time or a later appointment date in consultation with a provider (Section 101.a).
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Limited Scope of Community Care: The expanded eligibility standards specifically exclude nursing home care from the community care provisions (Section 101.a).
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 standardized screening process to prioritize admission for veterans with high-symptom risks such as suicide or unsafe living situations. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill codifies specific driving time and appointment waiting period standards to expand access to community care.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill enhances veteran healthcare access through stricter eligibility standards, improved mental health screening, and better appointment management tools.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill significantly improves access to community care, mental health residential treatment, and appointment management for veterans.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill provides for the reimbursement of transportation costs for veterans admitted to mental health treatment programs.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill extends the deadline for health care providers to submit claims, which provides more time for billing processes.
- 5/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/30/2025
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 7/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/20/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/11/2025
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-35.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/6/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/3/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/28/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Jim BanksRepublican · Indiana
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas
Chuck GrassleyRepublican · Iowa
Jon HustedRepublican · Ohio
Mike LeeRepublican · Utah
Ashley MoodyRepublican · Florida
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana
Tommy TubervilleRepublican · Alabama
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina