Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act

This measure orders an independent study comparing the quality of mental health and addiction treatment that veterans get at VA facilities with care from non-VA providers. The VA must hire an outside group within 90 days, cover care settings like telehealth, inpatient, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment, and make the results public. The study must be finished within 18 months of the agreement being signed.

The report has to review whether care leads to better health outcomes, including suicide risk, whether providers use proven, evidence‑based treatments, how well VA and non‑VA providers coordinate (like sharing records), whether care is veteran‑centered and satisfies patients, whether veterans with multiple conditions get integrated care, if outcomes are tracked during treatment and for up to three years after, and how long it takes to start services from first contact.

• Who is affected: Veterans getting mental health or addiction care through the VA or community providers; the VA; an independent research group.
• What changes: Requires a public report comparing care quality and identifying gaps and strengths across settings.
• When: VA seeks the agreement within 90 days of enactment; the study and public report are due within 18 months after the agreement is signed.