Recognizing Community Organizations for Veteran Engagement and Recovery Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2283
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-14: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 14 - 8.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T08:08:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The RECOVER Act (Recognizing Community Organizations for Veteran Engagement and Recovery Act) aims to enhance access to mental health care for veterans by directing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a three-year pilot program. This program provides grants to qualified non-profit outpatient mental health facilities to deliver culturally competent (sensitive to veterans' cultural and military backgrounds) and evidence-based (supported by research) mental health services, while encouraging veterans to enroll in the VA's patient system.
Key Provisions
- Pilot Program Setup: The VA Secretary must implement a three-year program (fiscal years 2025–2027) awarding grants to eligible non-profit mental health providers that have operated outpatient facilities in the U.S. for at least three years.
- Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must submit details on facilities, a training plan for clinicians in veteran-specific care, and prior federal funding levels. At least one clinician per facility must receive VA-approved training.
- Use of Grant Funds:
- Provide free mental health care to veterans (no fees allowed, regardless of insurance or reimbursement status).
- Operate existing facilities or create new ones focused on veteran care.
- Promote VA enrollment and services.
- Providers can seek reimbursements from insurance, VA's Community Care Program, or other government sources.
- Grant Selection and Amounts:
- Grants distributed evenly between rural and urban areas; priority for underserved regions, high-veteran-population areas, locations near military bases, or areas with high veteran suicide risk.
- Maximum $1.5 million per facility per year; reduced to 50% of a facility's operating budget (or $1.5 million, whichever is less) if over half of prior funding was federal.
- Providers can apply for multiple facilities or repeat grants.
- Training and Oversight: The VA sets training standards for cultural competence. Regulations require grantees to show accountability, track clinical outcomes (e.g., treatment effectiveness), and report on fund use through data metrics.
- Reporting: Within 180 days after the program ends, the VA must report to Congress on veteran participation numbers, demographics, care types and durations, outcomes, new VA enrollments, and any challenges faced by providers.
- Funding: Authorizes $20 million annually for fiscal years 2025–2027.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new pilot authority for the VA under Title 38 of the U.S. Code, which governs veterans' benefits. It expands VA funding to community non-profits for mental health services without altering core VA enrollment or reimbursement rules (e.g., sections 1703 and 1705). Previously, such community partnerships existed but lacked this specific grant mechanism for culturally tailored veteran care, marking a targeted addition to support external providers.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The VA gains administrative responsibilities for grant oversight, training, and reporting, potentially straining resources but improving veteran outreach. It may increase VA enrollments, easing direct VA clinic burdens.
- Citizens (Veterans): Improves access to free, specialized mental health care in community settings, especially in underserved or high-risk areas, which could reduce suicide rates and support recovery. Encourages integration with VA services for long-term care.
- Non-Profits and Providers: Provides financial support to sustain or expand operations, but requires data reporting and training compliance.
- International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. veterans.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, gaining better mental health support.
- Non-Profit Mental Health Providers: Eligible for grants to serve veterans.
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for program implementation, training, and evaluation.
- Congress: Receives reports and authorizes funding, influencing future expansions.
- Local Communities: Rural/urban areas with high veteran needs may see improved services near military installations or underserved regions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces VA's role in community partnerships under existing statutes like the Community Care Program, with built-in safeguards against fee-charging to ensure equity. The pilot's time-limited nature allows testing without permanent entitlement changes.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 8) for veterans' welfare; no apparent free speech, due process, or equal protection issues, as eligibility is merit-based and non-discriminatory.
- Political: Supports bipartisan veteran health priorities, potentially highlighting gaps in VA capacity and community roles. The $60 million total authorization (over three years) could spark debates on federal spending efficiency, with the required report informing permanent legislation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-14: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 14 - 8.
- 2026-05-14: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-04-16: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2026-04-16: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-01-13: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2025-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-03-24: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing Community Organizations for Veteran Engagement and Recovery Act — issued 2025-03-24 — PDF (7 pages)