H.R. 740: Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025
Sponsor
Mike Bost
Republican · IL-12
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Jul 23, 2025
Committee approved bill for floor consideration (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Why it matters
Veterans are still reporting delays and confusion in getting outside care through the VA, and this bill tries to lock clearer access rules into law now.
Even from the partial text provided, the bill clearly points to a broader push to tighten oversight of the Veterans Community Care Program and improve how veterans are informed about their options. The likely tradeoff is cost and pressure on VA administration: easier access to outside providers could help veterans get care faster, but it may also increase community care spending and add more coordination work for the department.
What does H.R. 740 do?
Sets hard wait-time and drive-time limits
Veterans could qualify for community care if the VA cannot offer appointments within 30 minutes and 20 days for primary care, mental health, and most extended care, or within 60 minutes and 28 days for specialty care.
Stops telehealth from counting against eligibility
The VA could not use telehealth appointment availability to claim it met access standards when deciding whether a veteran can seek care in the community.
Protects veterans when VA cancels appointments
If the VA cancels an appointment, the wait-time calculation for the replacement appointment must start from the original request date, not the later rescheduled date.
Requires written proof if veterans accept delays
If a veteran agrees to drive farther or wait longer than the normal standard, the VA must document that agreement in the electronic health record and give the veteran a copy.
Applies rules across covered VA medical benefits
The access standards would apply broadly to eligible veterans and covered care within the VA medical benefits package, not just to a narrow slice of patients.
Forces regular reviews and reports to Congress
The VA would have to review the access standards every three years, consult with federal agencies and outside stakeholders, and send a report to Congress.
Who benefits from H.R. 740?
Veterans in rural areas
They would have a clearer path to local non-VA care when the nearest VA option is too far away.
Veterans needing mental health care
They could more easily qualify for community-based treatment if the VA cannot offer timely in-person appointments.
Veterans facing canceled or delayed appointments
They would be better protected from losing eligibility for outside care because the VA reset the scheduling clock.
Community care providers
Clearer eligibility rules could mean more predictable referrals from the VA system.
Who is affected by H.R. 740?
Department of Veterans Affairs administrators
They would have to follow stricter rules, improve documentation, and likely manage more referrals to outside providers.
VA hospitals and clinics
They could face added pressure if more veterans opt for community care when local VA access falls short.
Veterans using VA health care
They may gain more choice and faster access, but they could also experience changes in how appointments are scheduled and discussed.
Congressional oversight committees
They would receive regular reports and may face more pressure to monitor whether the VA is meeting access standards.
H.R. 740 Common Questions
Can a veteran use community care if the VA appointment is more than 20 days away?
Yes. Under the Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 (Section 101), a veteran may qualify for community care if VA cannot schedule primary care, mental health, or most extended care within 20 days of the request.
How far can the VA make a veteran drive before community care is allowed?
Under the Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 (Section 101), community care eligibility starts if average drive time exceeds 30 minutes for primary, mental health, and most extended care, or 60 minutes for specialty care.
Does telehealth count against VA community care eligibility?
No. Under the Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 (Section 101), VA cannot use telehealth availability to claim it met the access standards for community care eligibility.
If the VA cancels my appointment, does my wait time restart?
No. According to H.R. 740 Section 101, if VA cancels an appointment, the wait-time clock for the replacement visit is measured from the original request date.
Does the VA have to notify veterans in writing if they qualify for community care?
Yes. Under the Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 (Section 102), VA must notify the veteran in writing within 2 business days after becoming aware of the request and eligibility.
What happens if the VA denies a veteran community care request?
According to H.R. 740 Section 104, VA must give written notice within 2 business days, explain the reason for denial, and provide instructions for the clinical appeals process.
Can VA providers submit community care claims after 180 days?
Yes. Under the Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 (Section 106), the claims submission deadline for health care entities and providers would be extended from 180 days to 1 year.
How fast does the VA have to screen veterans for residential mental health treatment?
According to H.R. 740 Section 202, VA must use a standardized screening process and complete screening within 48 hours of a request for a covered treatment program.
Can a veteran be sent to a non-VA mental health facility if the VA misses the 48-hour admission deadline?
Yes. Under the Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 (Section 202), if VA cannot meet the screening or admission timelines, it must offer care at a state-licensed, accredited non-Department facility.
Does the VA have to pay transportation costs for residential mental health treatment?
Yes. According to H.R. 740 Section 203, VA must provide or reimburse transportation costs for veterans admitted to covered treatment programs.
Based on H.R. 740 bill text
HR740 Legislative Journey
House: Vote Held
Jul 23, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
House: Committee Action
Jan 28, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
About the Sponsor
Mike Bost
Republican, Illinois's 12th congressional district · 11 years in Congress
Committees: Veterans' Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture
View full profile →
Cosponsors (77)
This bill has 77 cosponsors: 2 Democrats, 77 Republicans. Cosponsors represent 30 states: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, and 27 more.
Jack Bergman
Republican · MI
Abraham Hamadeh
Republican · AZ
Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Republican · IA
Tom Barrett
Republican · MI
Jennifer Kiggans
Republican · VA
Kimberlyn King-Hinds
Republican · MP
Gus Bilirakis
Republican · FL
Gregory Murphy
Republican · NC
Derrick Van Orden
Republican · WI
Scott Franklin
Republican · FL
Sheri Biggs
Republican · SC
Dan Crenshaw
Republican · TX
Committee Sponsors
Veterans' Affairs Committee
12 of 25 committee members cosponsored
2 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 740 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Veterans' Affairs
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Introduced
- Jan 28, 2025
Committee approved bill for floor consideration (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jul 23, 2025
Who is lobbying on H.R. 740?
10 organizations lobbying on this bill
MISSION ROLL CALL | 14 |
AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY | 8 |
ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC. | 8 |
DOCUMENT STORAGE SYSTEMS, INC. | 4 |
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS | 4 |
PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA | 4 |
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION SERVICES INC.(FKA AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSN | 4 |
MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA | 3 |
VOTEVETS ACTION FUND, INC. | 1 |
ONWARD MEDICAL, INC. | 1 |
Showing 1-10 of 10 organizations
H.R. 740 Bill Text
“To improve the provision of care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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