Give veterans options for mental health care

Letter to the Editor: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A recent article, “Veterans Affairs reassigning Atlanta-area nurses amid major overhaul,” (AJC, Aug. 15), rightly highlights concerns of a lack of mental health care access for veterans. Those concerns are blamed on staffing shortages and reassignments at the VA. But a deeper problem is that veterans have limited freedom to seek care that works for their unique circumstances.

The Veterans’ ACCESS Act would open the doors to more choice for veterans.

The bill would establish permanent access standards for veterans to use their VA benefits to seek treatment at community care providers and make scheduling appointments much easier. It would also establish a pilot program for mental health and substance abuse treatment, allowing veterans to access that care at community care facilities without a VA referral.

The VA system faces challenges and limits, often leaving veterans waiting for care they desperately need. We’ve seen the tragic results of veterans who’ve ended their lives while waiting for VA care, something important to remember during Suicide Prevention Month.

Empowering veterans with more and timelier options to choose their own care will save lives.

Katie Bagosy, Concerned Veterans for America

Originally published on October 14, 2025 in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution