WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – led a markup of 24 pieces of legislation yesterday, including his Veterans’ ACCESS Act which would expand access to life-saving care for veterans in the community and in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. The Senate version of the Veterans’ ACCESS Act is supported by major veterans service organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, Wounded Warrior Project, Vietnam Veterans of America, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and others.

“I wish to express our support for S. 275, Veterans' ACCESS Act of 2025, to enhance the provision of health care to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community care program,” said Kristina Keenan, Director of the National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars. “This legislation strengthens and upholds the integrity of the VA health care system, affirming the commitment to meeting veterans’ needs with the respect, dignity, and efficiency they deserve.”

“S. 275, the Veterans’ ACCESS Act, is a meaningful and overdue step toward restoring clarity, consistency, and common sense to the VA Community Care Program,” said Cole Lyle, Director of Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, The American Legion. “While the American Legion has long supported a permanent codification of access standards, doing so for an eight-year period ensures that veterans—not bureaucracy—remain at the center of their health care decisions for the foreseeable future. The American Legion strongly supports this legislation and commends Senate Veterans Affairs Committee leadership for advancing priorities important to Legionnaires across the country.”

“This legislation represents an important step forward in ensuring access to Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs – a vital lifeline for veterans living with invisible wounds of war, including post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, and other service-related mental health conditions. These programs provide the comprehensive care that veterans require to heal and reintegrate successfully into their families and communities,” said Jose Ramos, Vice President for Government and Community Relations, Wounded Warrior Project. “The bill reflects a balanced approach that will strengthen care delivery and enhance long-term outcomes for veterans whose mental health challenges are the direct result of their service.”

“We commend the Committee’s bipartisan work to strengthen the Veterans Community Care Program and ensure proper care for our nation’s veterans,” said James McCormick, Executive Director of Government Affairs for Vietnam Veterans of America. “VVA believes these provisions will make a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans who continue to face delays or obstacles in accessing needed services. We are proud to support S. 275, and we urge prompt passage of this legislation.”

“TAPS strongly believes that increasing timely referrals and coordinated VA community care will help improve both health care and mental health care outcomes for our veterans and their families,” said Bonnie Carroll, President and Founder, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. “The Veterans’ ACCESS Act helps address this critical imperative and we look forward to its swift passage!”

“PVA firmly believes VA is the best health care provider for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), and our members consistently choose VA’s SCI/D system of care,” said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer, Disabled American Veterans. “As a result, we strongly believe VA should be a leader in access for disabled veterans and appreciate language in the ACCESS Act requiring the department to advise Congress on ways to improve disability-related access for our members not just at VA facilities, but with its community care partners as well. We also greatly appreciate the requirement for VA to establish a pilot program to address the lack of access to residential rehabilitation treatment programs for veterans with SCI/D. This has been a longstanding problem for PVA members, and we thank Chairman Moran for attempting to ensure veterans with SCI/D are able to access this life-saving treatment.”

“The Elizabeth Dole Foundation advocates for issues that are of both direct impact and significant interest to caregivers, and nothing is of higher interest to them than access to timely, high-quality care for their loved ones who served this nation,” said Steve Schwab, Chief Executive Officer of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “As the individuals who so often must navigate the complex VA medical system, the clarity offered by these provisions offers options to the veteran and clear direction for the caregiver.”

The Veterans’ ACCESS Act is also supported by Disabled American Veterans.

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