October 1, 2026
Ms. Boebert introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish inpatient treatment under the Veterans Community Care Program for a mental health condition, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Veterans’ Mental Health Access Act
.
Sec. 2. Furnishing of inpatient treatment for a mental health condition under the Veterans Community Care Program
(a) In general
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall furnish covered care to a covered veteran.
(b) Timeline
The Secretary shall furnish covered care under subsection (a) not later than 24 hours after the covered veteran requests covered care or a health care provider prescribes covered care to the covered veteran.
(c) Report
Every six months, the Secretary shall publish on a website of the Department of Veterans Affairs a report regarding the wait time for a veteran seeking covered care furnished—
(1)
in a medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
(2)
under the Veterans Community Care Program.
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1)
The term covered care
means inpatient treatment for a mental health condition, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or substance abuse, furnished—
(A)
in a medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
(B)
under the Veterans Community Care Program.
(2)
The term covered facility
means, with respect to a covered veteran, the medical center or hospital of the Department of Veterans Affairs—
(A)
that is closest to the residence of the covered veteran; and
(B)
where the Secretary furnishes covered care sought by the covered veteran.
(3)
The term covered veteran
means a veteran described in section 1703(b) of title 38, United States Code.
(4)
The term Veterans Community Care Program
means the program established by section 1703(a) of title 38, United States Code.