United StatesEligible veterans would receive inpatient mental health care within 24 hours
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would have to provide eligible veterans inpatient mental health care within 24 hours of a request or provider’s prescription.
What it does
The VA would have to provide eligible veterans inpatient mental health care within 24 hours of a request or provider’s prescription, at a VA medical center or through its community care program.
Every six months, the VA would have to publish an online report showing wait times for veterans seeking inpatient mental health care at VA medical centers or through its community care program.
Argument forRequiring care within 24 hours could reduce how long eligible veterans wait to enter inpatient mental health treatment.
Argument againstThe 24-hour deadline could leave VA staff little time to arrange an inpatient placement when an eligible veteran requests care.
More detail
The VA would have to provide inpatient mental health treatment. Coverage would be limited to veterans who qualify under section 1703(b) of federal veterans law. Care would be provided at a VA medical center or through the Veterans Community Care Program. The deadline would be 24 hours after a veteran requests care or a health care provider prescribes it.
The VA would have to publish reports on its website. Reports would cover wait times for veterans seeking inpatient mental health treatment at VA medical centers or through the Veterans Community Care Program. The VA would have to publish a report every six months.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 14Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.Latest
- Oct 1Introduced in House
- Oct 1Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Introduced
VeteransMental HealthHealthcare