NW Kansas News

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, led a markup session for 24 pieces of legislation, including his Veterans’ ACCESS Act. The bill aims to expand access to care for veterans in both community settings and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. The Senate version of the act has received support from several major veterans service organizations.

Kristina Keenan, Director of the National Legislative Service at Veterans of Foreign Wars, stated: “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. 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.”

Cole Lyle, Director of Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation at The American Legion, said: “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. 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.”

Jose Ramos from Wounded Warrior Project commented: “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. 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.”

James McCormick from Vietnam Veterans of America said: “We commend the Committee’s bipartisan work to strengthen the Veterans Community Care Program and ensure proper care for our nation’s veterans. 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.”

Bonnie Carroll from Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors added: “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. The Veterans’ ACCESS Act helps address this critical imperative and we look forward to its swift passage!”

Heather Ansley from Disabled American Veterans noted: “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. 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.”

Steve Schwab from Elizabeth Dole Foundation remarked: “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. 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 bill is also backed by Disabled American Veterans.