Veterans’ Mental Health Access Act
Requires the VA to provide inpatient mental-health care within 24 hours and publish wait-time reports twice a year.
In the House Veterans' Affairs Committee since Oct. 1, 2026, 7 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 1, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Veterans may receive inpatient mental-health care at VA medical centers or through community providers. The bill would require the VA to provide that care within 24 hours after an eligible veteran requests it or a provider prescribes it, and to publish wait-time reports every six months.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Set a 24-hour treatment deadline
The bill would require the VA Secretary to provide eligible veterans inpatient treatment for a mental health condition, including PTSD, depression, or substance abuse, no later than 24 hours after the veteran requests it or a health care provider prescribes it. Care could be furnished at a VA medical center or through the Veterans Community Care Program.
- Publish wait-time reports twice yearly
The VA would have to publish a report every six months on wait times for covered inpatient mental-health care at VA medical centers and through the Veterans Community Care Program.
The bill sets a short time limit for getting eligible veterans inpatient mental-health treatment, making the timing of care a central part of the proposal. Its required reports would make wait times for VA and community-provided care publicly available on a recurring basis.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 1, 2026HOUSEOCT 1, 2026By Rep. BoebertReferred to Veterans' Affairs
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeOCT 1, 2026VETERANS' AFFAIRS NOWOCT 1, 2026In committee for 7 daysNo hearing yet
- 7 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 7, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
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