Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act

House Bill

H.R. 241

119th Congress

Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 9, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Roger Williams

Representative

Republican

TX-25

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

This bill requires the VA to provide mental health care through the Veterans Community Care Program within five days when an eligible veteran with a service-connected mental disorder seeks treatment. The bill specifically targets veterans with mental disorders rated at 50 percent or higher disability. By mandating this accelerated access standard, the legislation aims to reduce wait times for veterans in mental health crisis and ensure timely access to care outside the traditional VA system when needed.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill requires the VA to provide mental health care through the Veterans Community Care Program within five days when an eligible veteran with a service-connected mental disorder seeks treatment. The bill specifically targets veterans with mental disorders rated at 50 percent or higher disability. By mandating this accelerated access standard, the legislation aims to reduce wait times for veterans in mental health crisis and ensure timely access to care outside the traditional VA system when needed.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans ActThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish care or services under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) to an eligible veteran with a service-connected mental disorder not later than five days after the veteran seeks care for such disorder. Current law requires the VA to establish access standards for furnishing hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under the VCCP to veterans who are (1) enrolled in the VA health care system, or (2) not enrolled but are in the 12-month period following their discharge from service and meet other requirements (e.g., having a service-connected disability).Under the bill, the VA must modify its access standards for furnishing such care and services under the VCCP to require the provision of care or services not later than five days after an eligible veteran with a service-connected mental disorder rated at 50% or more seeks treatment for such disorder.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Mandates mental health care within 5 days for eligible veterans
Applies to veterans with 50 percent or higher mental health disability
Uses Veterans Community Care Program for rapid access
Modifies VA access standards for mental health treatment
Named for Sergeant Ted Grubbs in recognition of his service

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

For disabled veterans: Guaranteed rapid access to mental health care. For VA healthcare system: New timeline requirements for mental health. For community providers: Increased veteran referrals through VCCP. For veteran suicide prevention: Faster intervention for those in crisis. For mental health professionals: More veterans seeking timely treatment.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Subjects

Health care coverage and access

Mental health

Veterans' medical care

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

241, 119th Congress (2025). "Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-241