Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 241
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-11: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- Last Updated
- 2025-07-15T08:05:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act (H.R. 241) aims to ensure faster access to mental health care for certain disabled veterans by setting specific time standards for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide hospital care, medical services, or extended care services.
Key Provisions
- Access Standards for Mental Health Care: The bill amends Section 1703B(a) of title 38, United States Code, by adding a new paragraph (3).
- Eligibility: Applies to "covered veterans" (as defined in existing VA law) who have a service-connected mental disorder rated at 50 percent or higher by the VA (a "service-connected" rating means the condition is linked to military service and qualifies for disability benefits).
- Time Requirement: The VA must provide the specified care or services for the mental disorder no later than five days after the veteran requests it.
- Scope: This standard focuses on hospital care, medical services, or extended care services specifically for the mental disorder.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Addition to VA Access Standards: Builds on existing VA community care access standards (under Section 1703B), which already require timely care but do not specify a five-day limit for veterans with high-rated mental disorders.
- Targeted Expansion: Introduces a new, expedited timeline tailored to veterans with severe service-connected mental health conditions, without altering broader VA eligibility or rating criteria.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA may need to adjust resource allocation, staffing, or partnerships with community providers to meet the five-day deadline, potentially increasing operational demands and costs for mental health services.
- On Citizens: Veterans with qualifying mental disorders (e.g., PTSD or depression rated 50% or higher) could receive quicker treatment, reducing wait times and potentially improving health outcomes; other veterans' access remains unchanged.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill is focused on domestic VA operations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primarily those with service-connected mental disorders rated at 50% or more, who gain prioritized access to care.
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for implementing and complying with the new standards, affecting its healthcare delivery system.
- Community Healthcare Providers: May see increased referrals from the VA to meet the timeline, particularly for non-VA facilities under community care programs.
- Congressional Oversight: The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which received the bill for review.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens VA obligations under title 38 by mandating enforceable access timelines, potentially leading to legal challenges or audits if compliance issues arise; aligns with existing veteran benefits laws without conflicting with them.
- Constitutional: Supports the U.S. government's duty to care for veterans (rooted in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, granting Congress power over military affairs), emphasizing equal protection for disabled service members.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan interest in veteran mental health support, named after Sergeant Ted Grubbs to honor a specific veteran's story; could influence future VA funding debates or expansions of disability care priorities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-11: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2025-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-01-09: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (2 pages)