Summary

Requires VA medical centers to schedule a veteran’s appointment during the same telephone call when the veteran requests scheduling (for covered veterans), and creates new public reporting and staffing-notification requirements for VA medical center directors. The law phases in after 180 days, sets standardized annual and quarterly fact sheets to be posted at each facility and online, requires timely notification and temporary-fill rules when a director is detailed away, and sunsets all requirements three years after enactment.

• VA must schedule covered veterans’ appointments during the same phone call when they request scheduling, for requests made on/after 180 days post-enactment.
• Each VA medical center must produce standardized annual and quarterly fact sheets showing volume, common conditions, veteran satisfaction, wait times, and outstanding deficiencies.
• Fact sheets must be submitted to VA leadership and local Members of Congress and posted publicly at the facility and online.
• When a medical center director is detailed away, the Secretary must notify Congressional Veterans’ Affairs committees and appoint an acting director within 120 days.
• Secretary must return, reassign, or begin hiring a replacement within 180 days of a director detail, with limited waiver authority up to 540 days and required Congressional notification of waivers.
• All requirements are temporary: the entire Act sunsets three years after enactment.
• The Secretary sets a standardized format to ensure consistent fact-sheet content and presentation across facilities.
• The law creates administrative duties for VA and facility directors but does not appropriate new funds or create new criminal/civil penalties.