Bill · S. 1868· Senate(119-S-1868)
Critical Access for Veterans Care Act
- Introduced
- 5/22/2025
- Last activity
- 3/18/2026 — Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Sponsored by
- Kevin Cramer
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Critical Access for Veterans Care Act aims to expand how veterans access healthcare through the Veterans Community Care Program. It specifically targets expanded access to critical access hospitals and affiliated provider-based rural health clinics. Under this bill, veterans residing within 35 miles of these facilities would be eligible for care. The legislation also removes the requirement for certain veterans to obtain prior authorization or a referral before receiving services. Additionally, it establishes specific payment rates based on Medicare standards for these facilities. Finally, it mandates a report to Congress regarding the implementation and user experience of these changes.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+8
Veterans benefit significantly through expanded access to local healthcare and reduced administrative burdens.
Does this help veterans get medical care?+7
The bill expands healthcare access for veterans by including critical access hospitals and reducing administrative hurdles like prior authorization.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+7
The bill enhances benefits by facilitating easier access to community healthcare providers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Healthcare Access: Veterans residing within 35 miles of a critical access hospital or an affiliated provider-s based rural health clinic can access care or services under the Veterans Community Care Program (Section 2(a)(3)).
-
Reduced Administrative Hurders: The Secretary is prohibited from requiring a covered veteran to receive prior authorization or a referral before receiving care or services under the new provision (Section 2(b)(5)).
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Streamlined Reimbursement for Facilities: Claims for care provided under this act must be reviewed and payments issued no later than 60 days after the claim is submitted (Section 2(c)(7)(B)(D)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+8Good For Rural Residents+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Veterans Healthcare+7Improves Healthcare Access+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+7
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- 3/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/18/2026
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 12/10/2025
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-247.
- 5/22/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana