Veterans’ ACCESS Act: Josh Pickett’s fight for timely health care
Josh Pickett, who earned a Purple Heart while serving two tours of combat, thought scheduling an appointment with the VA would be as routine as a physical exam. His service to our country earned him that much.
Instead, he was offered a telehealth appointment that didn’t fit his schedule. Declining it meant waiting three more months for in-person care.
Three months.
That’s not just too long ― it’s dangerous for veterans with seen and unseen battle scars like chronic pain or PTSD.
Veterans and their families know the struggle of navigating a slow, complex, and uncertain health care system.
As one of Concerned Veterans for America’s most exceptional volunteers, Josh is using his experience and voice to fight for a better health care system ― one that will allow every American to better pursue their American Dream.
The Veterans’ ACCESS ACT: Access denied?
Josh’s experience navigating care delays empowered him to get involved with CVA. He’s now supporting efforts to pass the Veterans’ ACCESS Act to ensure fewer veterans face the same obstacles he did.
The Veterans’ ACCESS Act was designed to address long VA wait times by strengthening community care access standards, the rules that determine when veterans can use their health benefits from non-VA providers.
Community care is crucial when VA facilities are too slow or too far away. The Veterans’ ACCESS Act would make existing access standards law, giving veterans the clarity and certainty they deserve to get timely care.
But now there’s a catch.
The Senate version of the bill includes a sunset clause ― meaning these access standards could expire in eight years. With the wrong VA leadership or a Congress less committed to veterans’ health care choice, the future of community care could be at risk.
But the House version of the Veterans’ ACCESS Act doesn’t sunset community care access standards. It gives veterans what they actually need: permanence.
This dispute threatens to derail the bill, leaving veterans in limbo without lasting access to care.
The VA MISSION Act: Progress that needs to continue
You’ve seen what happens when reforms fade or expire. Veterans are forced back into the same broken systems they fought to fix.
The MISSION Act in 2018 was a step in the right direction, making significant progress in expanding access to care. Now, the Veterans’ ACCESS Act can finish the job ― but only if community care access standards are made permanent.
The sunset clause in the Senate version of the Veterans’ ACCESS Act doesn’t fix the problem; it just sets a timer that could put veterans at risk later. A real fix creates something veterans can count on ― for good.
How veteran care access can lead the way for all Americans
Veterans often encounter the broken VA system firsthand ― a cautionary tale of what happens when individuals aren’t equipped to access timely, high-quality health care. Fixing that system creates a roadmap for improving health care across the country.
A veteran’s pursuit of the American Dream requires access to high-quality health care ― the kind that should be the standard for everyone. Whether through the VA or civilian providers, health care systems should offer timely, flexible options that meet individual needs.
Veterans shouldn’t have to wait for months or travel hours away for a basic checkup. They deserve timely access to all services ― including mental health care ― without being turned away because they feel “fine today.”
Veterans succeed when they’re empowered to choose the care that works best for them ― and that success can help show the path to better health care for all Americans.
Josh’s fight for permanent care access
Josh’s story shows why community care access standards matter for veterans who can’t afford to wait months for care.
Below you can see Josh (third from the right) with fellow CVA activists on the National Day of Action in May. And CVA Executive Director John Vick joined them at the far right.
He’s using his voice to make sure he and other veterans aren’t left waiting ― and you can use yours too.
The Senate can adopt the stronger version of the Veterans’ ACCESS Act ― without a sunset clause ― ensuring that health care choice is a long-term promise, not a short-term fix.
Veterans have earned more than temporary support. They’ve earned certainty, consistency, and a system that works ― for good.
Join the mission at CVA.org ― because securing permanent community care access standards isn’t just good for veterans, it’s a step toward a stronger, freer America.
