WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville introduced a bill Monday to increase access to care for veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs providers in the community.
Tuberville (R-Auburn) joined Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) in cosponsoring the Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025.
“Veterans have paid the ultimate sacrifice in order to secure our freedom,” said Tuberville. “Over the last four years, many veterans have endured painfully long wait times and few options for care outside the VA. We should be providing quality and timely community care options — not making it harder for veterans to even get through the door.
“This legislation is a crucial step in righting the wrongs of the past administration. I trust that soon-to-be Secretary Doug Collins will prioritize getting veterans access to the care they earned.”
Tuberville and Moran were joined by Sens. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).
The ACCESS Act is endorsed by the Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, America’s Warrior Partnership, Vietnam Veterans of America, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Hunter Seven Foundation, Concerned Veterans for America, Americans for Prosperity and the National Defense Committee.
The legislation would establish existing community care access standards as the baseline standard of care for veterans seeking care in the community, increase access to life-saving treatment programs for veterans with mental health conditions or addiction and expand the list of criteria VA is required to take into account when determining whether it is in a veteran’s best medical interest to refer a veteran to the community to include veteran preference and continuity of care.
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