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Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-585| Senate 
| Updated: 5/21/2025
Angus S. King

Angus S. King

Independent Senator

Maine

Cosponsors (3)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Mike Rounds (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025" aims to significantly improve the transition of servicemembers to veteran status by streamlining their access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare. It establishes a new pre-transition health care registration system , requiring the VA to automatically register servicemembers approximately 180 days before their anticipated separation from the Armed Forces. This registration involves entering relevant information to facilitate future enrollment in the VA's patient enrollment system. Following separation, the VA is mandated to engage with covered individuals within 30 days to assist and facilitate their enrollment in the patient enrollment system, including help with forms and scheduling an initial primary care or other health appointment if desired. Communication efforts will utilize a combination of effective mechanisms, such as email, text message, paper mail, and phone, to ensure comprehensive outreach. The bill also requires extensive outreach both before and after a servicemember's separation. Pre-transition outreach will explain the registration process, necessary steps for full enrollment, and available healthcare services, including those accessible regardless of enrollment like military sexual trauma counseling. After enrollment, the VA must contact individuals who haven't scheduled an appointment within 180 days to offer assistance, potentially integrating this with existing programs like Solid Start. Furthermore, the legislation emphasizes creating a simple and streamlined process for pre-registration and enrollment to enhance access to VA services, support mental and physical health, and reduce veteran suicide. It mandates coordination with the Department of Defense, including incorporating an explanation of the pre-transition system into the Transition Assistance Program. The bill also requires annual reports on registration data and a feasibility study on allowing pre-separation VA health appointments, while clarifying that no servicemember is required to use VA services or enroll in the patient enrollment system.
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Timeline
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 13, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 21, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
May 21, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.
  • February 13, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 13, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • May 21, 2025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.


  • May 21, 2025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.

Armed Forces and National Security

Computers and information technologyCongressional oversightGovernment information and archivesHealth care coverage and accessLicensing and registrationsVeterans' medical care

Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-585| Senate 
| Updated: 5/21/2025
The "Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025" aims to significantly improve the transition of servicemembers to veteran status by streamlining their access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare. It establishes a new pre-transition health care registration system , requiring the VA to automatically register servicemembers approximately 180 days before their anticipated separation from the Armed Forces. This registration involves entering relevant information to facilitate future enrollment in the VA's patient enrollment system. Following separation, the VA is mandated to engage with covered individuals within 30 days to assist and facilitate their enrollment in the patient enrollment system, including help with forms and scheduling an initial primary care or other health appointment if desired. Communication efforts will utilize a combination of effective mechanisms, such as email, text message, paper mail, and phone, to ensure comprehensive outreach. The bill also requires extensive outreach both before and after a servicemember's separation. Pre-transition outreach will explain the registration process, necessary steps for full enrollment, and available healthcare services, including those accessible regardless of enrollment like military sexual trauma counseling. After enrollment, the VA must contact individuals who haven't scheduled an appointment within 180 days to offer assistance, potentially integrating this with existing programs like Solid Start. Furthermore, the legislation emphasizes creating a simple and streamlined process for pre-registration and enrollment to enhance access to VA services, support mental and physical health, and reduce veteran suicide. It mandates coordination with the Department of Defense, including incorporating an explanation of the pre-transition system into the Transition Assistance Program. The bill also requires annual reports on registration data and a feasibility study on allowing pre-separation VA health appointments, while clarifying that no servicemember is required to use VA services or enroll in the patient enrollment system.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 13, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 21, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
May 21, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.
  • February 13, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 13, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • May 21, 2025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.


  • May 21, 2025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.
Angus S. King

Angus S. King

Independent Senator

Maine

Cosponsors (3)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Mike Rounds (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Computers and information technologyCongressional oversightGovernment information and archivesHealth care coverage and accessLicensing and registrationsVeterans' medical care