Improving Veteran Access to Care Act

Senate Bill

S. 607

119th Congress

Improving Veteran Access to Care Act

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 18, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Margaret Wood Hassan

Senator

Democratic

NH

Cosponsors

3

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

This bill requires the VA to create an integrated team to improve healthcare appointment scheduling. The team must develop a system for viewing available appointments, create phone scheduling assistance, and coordinate with the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program.

Latest Action

Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill requires the VA to create an integrated team to improve healthcare appointment scheduling. The team must develop a system for viewing available appointments, create phone scheduling assistance, and coordinate with the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Improving Veteran Access to Care ActThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish an integrated project team to improve the process for scheduling VA health care appointments. Among other objectives, the team must (1) develop or continue the development of a scheduling system and platform that enables personnel and patients of the VA to view available appointments for VA care, (2) create a process through which patients can telephonically speak with a scheduler who can assist in determining availability and scheduling, and (3) carry out other functions with respect to health care appointments furnished by the VA.In carrying out its objectives, the team must consult and coordinate with the deployment schedule and capabilities of the VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization Program.If the VA determines a required objective or any feature or service in connection with an objective cannot be implemented or incorporated, the VA must report to Congress providing an explanation and setting forth a plan without that objective. The VA must also report to Congress on the progress in fulfilling the team’s objectives under the bill.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Creates VA integrated team for appointment scheduling improvement
Develops system for viewing available VA appointments
Creates phone scheduling assistance for patients
Coordinates with Electronic Health Record Modernization
Requires congressional reporting on progress and obstacles

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Veterans would benefit from easier appointment scheduling with better visibility into available times and phone support. This addresses long-standing complaints about difficulty accessing VA healthcare services.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Subjects

Computers and information technology

Congressional oversight

Health care coverage and access

Health information and medical records

Health programs administration and funding

Telephone and wireless communication

Veterans' medical care

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

607, 119th Congress (2025). "Improving Veteran Access to Care Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-607