Veterans’ Mental Health Access Act

This Act may be cited as the Veterans’ Mental Health Access Act.

(a) In general. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall furnish covered care to a covered veteran.

(b) 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.

(c) 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—

(1) in a medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs; or

(2) under the Veterans Community Care Program.

(d) Definitions. In this section:

(1) The term covered care means inpatient treatment for a mental health condition, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or substance abuse, furnished—

(A) in a medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs; or

(B) under the Veterans Community Care Program.

(2) The term covered facility means, with respect to a covered veteran, the medical center or hospital of the Department of Veterans Affairs—

(A) that is closest to the residence of the covered veteran; and

(B) where the Secretary furnishes covered care sought by the covered veteran.

(3) The term covered veteran means a veteran described in section 1703(b) of title 38, United States Code.

(4) The term Veterans Community Care Program means the program established by section 1703(a) of title 38, United States Code.