Veterans (Veteran Mental Health) in United States

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 3591: Thomas M. Conway Veterans Access to Resources in the Workplace Act

This bill requires employers with 50+ employees to display a clear notice about veteran benefits in visible workplace locations. The notice, developed by the Labor and Veterans Affairs departments, must include the Veterans Crisis Line, how to apply for benefits, and state-specific veteran resources. Employers must post this notice starting one year after the bill's enactment, with updates to the notice required twice yearly. The law directly affects large employers nationwide and aims to improve veterans' access to workplace support resources.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2025

S 540: Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act

This bill (S 540) is procedural and adds a new "Continuity of care" provision to the Veterans Community Care Program under Section 1703(d)(2) of Title 38, U.S. Code. It does not describe specific policy changes or mechanisms, as the bill text only specifies the addition of the new subsection without detailing its content. The bill directly affects veterans enrolled in the Community Care Program by requiring consideration of continuity of care, though the exact requirements are not defined in the provided text. As a procedural amendment, it serves as a framework for future implementation rather than enacting immediate changes. Without additional bill text explaining the new provision's requirements, no concrete policy details can be summarized.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · United States · House May 14, 2026

HR 6993: BEACON Act of 2026

The BEACON Act of 2026 establishes two grant programs to improve treatment for veterans with chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). It authorizes $30 million over three years for grants to nonprofits, academic institutions, and health providers to develop and test non-drug neurorehabilitation approaches, focusing on mental health outcomes, suicide risk reduction, and long-term recovery. The bill requires grantees to prioritize patient-centered care, conduct clinical studies, and partner with VA facilities, with each grant capped at $5 million annually. A separate $10 million annual program funds independent research on TBI treatments, requiring third-party analysis and annual reports to Congress. The pilot programs expire after three years, with evaluations to determine future expansion.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · United States · House Feb 20, 2025

HR 554: Veteran’s Choice Accountability Act

The Veteran’s Choice Accountability Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate its hospital, medical, and nursing home care programs to identify the most heavily used specialized services and ensure these are maintained as centers of excellence. It also mandates a two-year assessment of how well the VA Budget and Choice Improvement Act (Public Law 114-41) has been implemented, with results reported to Congress. These provisions directly affect VA operations and aim to improve accountability in veterans' healthcare delivery. The bill focuses on procedural oversight rather than altering benefit eligibility or funding.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Hospitals Long-Term Care Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · United States · House Mar 14, 2025

HR 1290: Veterans Mental Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025

HR 1290, the Veterans Mental Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025, requires the VA to create a three-year pilot program connecting veterans in mental health crises with approved non-VA providers. The program, testing in at least three locations, mandates referrals within one week, develops provider approval criteria, and trains VA staff. It includes annual reports tracking referrals, wait times, and veteran satisfaction, plus a final evaluation after the pilot. The bill authorizes $3 million annually (2025-2027) for this referral system, directly affecting veterans seeking urgent mental health care outside VA facilities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

in committee · United States · House Feb 20, 2025

HR 553: BRAVE Act

HR 553 (BRAVE Act) creates a new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system to proactively connect veterans with mental health resources. It directly affects veterans enrolled in the VA's annual patient enrollment system who have experienced traumatic or highly stressful events, allowing them to opt-in to receive information about available mental health care services. The bill requires the VA to establish this outreach system within two years of enactment and coordinate it with the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program. This is a concrete policy change focused on improving access to mental health support for veterans in need.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 3726: National Veterans Strategy Act of 2026

The National Veterans Strategy Act of 2026 requires the President to establish measurable metrics for veteran well-being - covering health, employment, education, and social engagement - and develop a national strategy every four years to align federal, state, local, nonprofit, and private sector efforts toward improving veteran outcomes. This strategy must be developed with input from veterans, government agencies, and stakeholders like veterans' organizations and businesses, and it will guide how benefits and services are delivered to address gaps in veteran success. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress tracking progress, spending, and barriers, with a requirement for the President to update the strategy every four years based on public input and evaluation. It directly affects all veterans by creating a coordinated framework for service delivery, though specific benefits or programs are not defined by the bill itself.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · United States · Senate Nov 6, 2025

S 3130: Veterans TBI Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act of 2025

This bill creates a Department of Veterans Affairs grant program to fund innovative, non-drug treatments for veterans with chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). It provides up to $5 million per grantee annually (totaling $30 million over 2026-2028) to eligible groups like nonprofits, universities, and healthcare providers for developing and testing patient-centered neurorehabilitation approaches. Grantees must measure outcomes including improved mental health, reduced suicide risk factors (like depression), and better accessibility of care, while coordinating with existing VA mental health services. The program runs for three years, with annual reports to Congress on effectiveness and recommendations for future VA services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 3245: MIND Our Veterans Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs to improve mental health screenings for service members before they separate from military service. It mandates that existing PTSD, alcohol use, and violence risk screens be validated tools, and directs officials to consider adding substance use screening to these assessments. The law sets a 120-day deadline for full implementation of these changes after enactment. The primary beneficiaries are separating service members, ensuring they receive standardized, evidence-based mental health evaluations during their transition.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · United States · House Mar 14, 2025

HR 1384: Veterans Equal Access Act

This bill allows Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to discuss and provide written recommendations about state medical marijuana programs to veterans living in states where such programs exist. It directly affects veterans in states with legal marijuana programs and VA health care providers. The key provision requires VA staff to complete forms documenting these recommendations, enabling veterans to participate in their state's marijuana program without VA interference. The bill does not change federal marijuana laws or VA policy on marijuana use, but permits VA providers to support veterans' access to state-legal programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

All veterans bills