Makes changes to how the VA delivers and manages community and specialty care so veterans get care faster and with clearer notice. It sets concrete drive‑time and wait‑time standards for community care eligibility, requires quicker written notices for eligibility determinations and denials, extends a claims filing deadline, and adds telehealth and caregiver considerations.

Strengthens VA residential mental‑health and substance‑use programs by setting screening/admission timeframes, tracking bed availability and wait times, requiring care coordination and staff training, and directing GAO review. Also directs VA to build online tools, run a multi‑site outpatient mental‑health/substance‑use pilot, reform the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment, and produce recurring reports and plans for oversight and budget transparency.