Protecting Veteran Community Care Act

This bill makes it easier for veterans to get timely mental health and substance-use treatment in their community when the VA can’t provide it fast enough. If a veteran qualifies for priority admission to a VA residential program but the VA can’t fit them in, or can’t meet access standards, the veteran can go to a licensed, accredited community facility instead. The VA can’t force a referral to another VA facility if that would delay care, unless the veteran asks for that option. Veterans get to choose among available options. The VA also can’t deny community care just because local providers are struggling to meet wait-time targets. Community programs must meet state licensing and national accreditation standards, though the VA may waive this on a case-by-case basis if it’s in the veteran’s best interest and no other option exists .

Within 90 days, the VA must update its rules so mental health access under community care is no more restrictive than other specialty care. The VA must publish yearly numbers on community care requests, approvals, denials, appeals, mental health requests, and emergency care details. Any future VA move to tighten community care access won’t take effect unless Congress approves it. The bill’s findings stress faster access to in-person care and more choice for veterans, noting ongoing suicide concerns and that no veteran should wait 30 days for mental health approval .

• Who is affected: Veterans seeking residential mental health or substance-use services; VA and community providers .
• What changes: Faster access to community care when VA can’t provide timely treatment; veteran choice among options; provider standards; VA reporting; limits on VA tightening access without Congress .
• When: Access rule updates due within 90 days of enactment; reporting applies to reviews after enactment; other changes take effect upon enactment unless noted .