Codify MISSION Act access standards and a veterans bill of rights for Community Care
Mandate says a favorable Congress should rapidly codify VA MISSION Act access standards so VA cannot water them down, and first create a veterans bill of rights so veterans and staff know Community Care eligibility and dispute processes.
Mandate
Mandate Ch. 20 (Veterans Affairs) — VHA Needed Reforms: if Congress is favorable in 2025, rapidly and explicitly codify VA MISSION Act access standards in legislation; first and foremost, a veterans bill of rights is needed so veterans and VA staff know exact benefits entitlements, dispute adjudication, and that all veterans are informed of Community Care eligibility (currently not routinely told unless they request or receive a referral).
Undo plan
1) Preserve administrative flexibility to apply MISSION Act access/quality standards without locking one Administration’s referral quotas into rigid statute.
2) Ensure any ‘bill of rights’ includes informed choice for VA facility care as well as Community Care, with transparent wait-time and quality data.
3) Require counseling scripts that present both Direct Care and Community Care options without steering solely to privatization.
4) Codify whistleblower protections for staff who report manipulated access metrics.
5) Verify: GAO audit of referral rates, expired referrals, and veteran notice practices.