No Wrong Door for Veterans Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1969

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2025-05-22: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T19:23:33Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "No Wrong Door for Veterans Act" (H.R. 1969) aims to enhance suicide prevention efforts for veterans by reauthorizing and improving a grant program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It also expands certain medical services for veterans and extends protections on pension payments to ensure continued support for eligible veterans facing financial hardships.

Key Provisions

• Reauthorization of the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program:
• Extends the program's duration until September 30, 2026.
• Requires grant recipients (eligible entities like nonprofits or health care providers) to notify veterans of their potential eligibility for "emergent suicide care" (urgent medical treatment for immediate suicide risk under 38 U.S.C. § 1720J) and inform the VA Secretary if the veteran chooses this option.
• If the VA does not provide services within 72 hours of a referral, the veteran automatically qualifies for emergent suicide care.
• Allocates $174 million for fiscal years 2021–2025 and an additional $52.5 million for fiscal year 2026.
• Eligible entities must have provided mental health or support services continuously in the U.S. for the two years prior to applying and now include health care providers.
• Mandates the use of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (a standardized tool to assess suicide risk) for grants awarded after the bill's enactment.
• Makes technical corrections to definitions, such as clarifying "emergency treatment" as medical services for urgent needs.

• Expansion of Medical Services:
• Includes adaptive prostheses (custom-fitted artificial limbs) and terminal devices (attachments for prosthetics) designed for sports and recreational activities as part of VA-furnished medical services for eligible veterans.

• Extension of Pension Payment Limits:
• Extends the deadline for certain limits on pension payments (which protect veterans from losing benefits due to income from employment or other sources) from November 30, 2031, to January 30, 2033.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-171) by prolonging the grant program's life, adding emergent care notifications and timelines, increasing funding, and tightening eligibility criteria for grant recipients while broadening the types of organizations that can apply.
• Modifies 38 U.S.C. § 1701 to explicitly cover recreational adaptive prosthetics, which were previously implied but not detailed.
• Updates 38 U.S.C. § 5503(d)(7) to extend pension safeguards by an additional 14 months, providing longer-term financial relief without altering the core eligibility rules.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The VA will face increased administrative responsibilities, such as processing notifications for emergent care and ensuring timely service delivery within 72 hours, potentially straining resources but improving coordination. Additional funding supports program sustainability without requiring new appropriations beyond the specified amounts.
• On Citizens (Veterans): Enhances access to suicide prevention services, urgent mental health care, and recreational prosthetics, potentially reducing suicide rates and improving quality of life. The pension extension offers continued financial stability for low-income veterans.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic veteran support.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, especially those at risk of suicide, with prosthetics needs, or relying on pensions.
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for implementing grants, providing emergent care, and furnishing expanded medical services.
• Eligible Entities: Nonprofits, foundations, and health care providers receiving grants, who must now meet stricter operational history requirements and use specific screening tools.
• Congress and Taxpayers: Involved in funding oversight, with the bill ensuring targeted use of federal dollars for veteran welfare.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens veteran health care entitlements under Title 38 of the U.S. Code without creating new rights, but introduces enforceable timelines (e.g., 72-hour response) that could lead to litigation if the VA fails to comply. The required suicide risk scale standardizes care but may limit flexibility for providers.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to regulate VA benefits and spending (Article I, Section 8), posing no apparent challenges to due process or equal protection, as it targets a specific group (veterans) with tailored support.
• Political: Reinforces bipartisan commitment to veteran suicide prevention amid ongoing public health concerns, potentially serving as a model for future mental health legislation. The funding extension avoids lapses in critical programs, reducing political pressure on lawmakers during budget cycles.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-22: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
• 2025-05-22: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-05-22: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
• 2025-05-22: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
• 2025-05-22: Considered as unfinished business.
• 2025-05-20: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bost objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
• 2025-05-20: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1969.
• 2025-05-20: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2175-2177; text: CR H2175-2176)
• 2025-05-20: Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
• 2025-05-19: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 76.
• 2025-05-19: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-103.
• 2025-05-19: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-103.
• 2025-05-06: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-03-25: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 7 - 5.
• 2025-03-25: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Bill Versions

• No Wrong Door for Veterans Act — issued 2025-05-22 — PDF (8 pages)
• No Wrong Door for Veterans Act — issued 2025-03-10 — PDF (6 pages)
• No Wrong Door for Veterans Act — issued 2025-05-22 — PDF (6 pages)
• No Wrong Door for Veterans Act — issued 2025-05-19 — PDF (8 pages)