I
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10648
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 1, 2026
Ms. Boebert introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
A BILL
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.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Veterans’ Mental Health Access Act
.
Furnishing of inpatient treatment for a mental health condition under the Veterans Community Care Program
In general
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall furnish covered care to a covered veteran.
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.
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—
in a medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
under the Veterans Community Care Program.
Definitions
In this section:
The term covered care
means inpatient treatment for a mental health condition, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or substance abuse, furnished—
in a medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
under the Veterans Community Care Program.
The term covered facility
means, with respect to a covered veteran, the medical center or hospital of the Department of Veterans Affairs—
that is closest to the residence of the covered veteran; and
where the Secretary furnishes covered care sought by the covered veteran.
The term covered veteran
means a veteran described in section 1703(b) of title 38, United States Code.
The term Veterans Community Care Program
means the program established by section 1703(a) of title 38, United States Code.