Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act of 2026

(a) In general. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available to covered providers annual, evidence-based training on the prevention of suicide among veterans.

(b) Preferred provider list

(1) In general. The Secretary shall—

(A) establish and maintain a list (to be known as the preferred provider list) of each covered provider that completes the training under subsection (a); and

(B) make such list publicly available to veterans eligible for health care under the laws administered by the Secretary.

(2) Non-department training. The Secretary shall include on the preferred provider list any covered provider that the Secretary determines has completed training that—

(A) is substantially similar to the training required by such subsection; and

(B) meets the applicable competency standard for military health care professionals.

(3) Opt-out. A covered provider desiring to be removed from the preferred provider list may submit to the Secretary a request in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(4) Annual review. The Secretary shall, on an annual basis, review the preferred provider list to ensure each covered provider included on such list has completed such training.

(c) Covered provider defined. In this section, the term covered provider means—

(1) a health care provider specified in subsection (c) of section 1703 of title 38, United States Code; and

(2) an eligible entity or medical provider that has entered into a Veterans Care Agreement under section 1703A of such title.