Why we’re still fighting for Veterans’ ACCESS

For their sacrifice and service, our country promised veterans that they would get the care they need and deserve.

Congress mandated it.

The Department of Veterans Affairs acknowledged it.

And the VA MISSION Act of 2018 was passed to guarantee it.

But the truth is that veterans still don’t have the access they’ve earned and the law guarantees.

Too many are still stuck in long waits, facing unpredictable rules, confusing denials, and a system that rewrites and skirts standards instead of following the law.

VA employees across the country work hard for veterans, but the system doesn’t enforce necessary standards.

The Veterans’ ACCESS Act brings necessary accountability to the VA and is a model lawmakers can use for accountability in American health care moving forward.

Too many veterans don’t have the ACCESS they earned and are legally entitled to

The VA MISSION Act established community care access standards, allowing veterans to seek treatment outside the VA when VA care is unavailable due to delays or distance. But those standards are often bent, reinterpreted, or ignored.

Reports show VA facilities:

• Added unnecessary “clinical reviews” even when access standards are met
• Manipulated wait-time data to make delays seem shorter on paper
• Denied or blocked community care referrals
• Failed to cover costs for out-of-network procedures, even when the VA failed to provide timely care

Many employees in the VA are doing their best under heavy workloads, outdated systems, and shifting standards.

The Veterans’ ACCESS Act is about locking in clear, enforceable standards ― ensuring that veterans receive the care they’ve earned and that VA facilities around the country have consistent rules.

What the Veterans’ ACCESS Act actually does

Moving past the jargon, this legislation is designed to:

• Codify access standards by enshrining community care rules in law, permanently. This means no more shifting interpretations and no more confusion about when veterans can choose their own community care.
• Increase transparency and communication, meaning that the VA must tell veterans when they qualify for community care, explain denials, and outline the appeal process.
• Develop self-scheduling tools that empower veterans with online portals to schedule appointments, track referrals, receive reminders, and file appeals.
• Expand mental health access through a three-year pilot program, allowing veterans direct access to outpatient mental health or substance-use treatment in the community without needing prior VA approval.
• Require accurate wait-time measurements from the date a veteran requests care ― not from a later date chosen by the system.

This is what real access and accountability look like, and our heroes deserve nothing less.

Delaying passage hurts real people

Despite broad support among veterans and lawmakers, the bill has not yet reached the president’s desk.

Every month of delay means real veterans are put at risk.

Sam Howard, a Marine, was denied coverage for crucial cancer screenings and had to go to private facilities for testing and surgery. To this day, he is dealing with the side effects of having to wait for treatment as his family fights the appeal process.

A Purple Heart recipient, Josh Pickett, was told to wait three months for basic health appointments, which he would have obtained much faster through community care options.

Sam Howard (left), Joshua Pickett (right)

These stories reveal the same truth: The system isn’t keeping pace with the people it exists to serve.

Why we still fight

Concerned Veterans for America continues to push for the Veterans’ ACCESS Act because this reform isn’t optional ― it’s overdue.

The VA shouldn’t be the enemy, but the current system isn’t working well enough, consistently enough, or fast enough for the men and women whose health and lives are at stake.

Veterans deserve

• Choice
• Timely visits
• Mental health care

The Veterans’ ACCESS Act closes loopholes, restores trust, and finally delivers on the promise of the MISSION Act.

Congress needs to hear from the people who care about veterans the most.

Take one minute to sign a letter asking your lawmaker urging them to support the Veterans’ ACCESS Act.

When you’re done, sign up to join our grassroots army as we bring this message to Americans nationwide.