U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) has introduced new legislation aimed at reinforcing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ commitment to accessible, high-quality health care for America’s veterans. Joined by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Daines is championing the “Protecting Veteran Community Care Act,” a bill that would bolster the VA’s Community Care program and ensure veterans are not sidelined by bureaucracy.
Daines emphasized the need for urgent reforms that put veterans first, particularly when it comes to mental health services. “Our nation’s veterans have put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and the last thing they should have to worry about is mismanagement and delays at the VA,” said Daines. “I’m proud to work with my colleagues on this bill to strengthen the availability of community-based mental health programs and ensure that our veterans have access to the care and resources that they deserve.”
The bill seeks to build on the VA MISSION Act by explicitly including inpatient mental health standards and establishing minimum criteria for community residential programs. It also addresses what lawmakers describe as the VA’s attempts to undermine access to Community Care by sidestepping existing eligibility standards. The legislation mandates that the VA track key data related to community care and submit regular reports to Congress, increasing transparency and accountability.
Senator Grassley underscored the importance of local access, particularly in rural states like Iowa. “Our legislation would strengthen the VA MISSION Act to ensure veterans can access quality care, close to home, in a timely manner,” he said.
Senator Lummis echoed similar sentiments for veterans in Wyoming, emphasizing the critical role of community care in serving those far from VA facilities. “Wyoming’s courageous veterans deserve top-tier healthcare services regardless of their geographic location,” Lummis said.
The introduction of the “Protecting Veteran Community Care Act” comes as lawmakers face increasing pressure from veteran advocacy groups to address systemic inefficiencies in the VA healthcare system. Daines, who has consistently championed veteran causes in the Senate, described the legislation as a necessary step to guarantee veterans receive the timely and effective care they’ve earned.