Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act
Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act
Plain Language Summary
# Summary of HR 241: Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act **What the bill would do:** This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide mental health care to eligible disabled veterans within five days of them seeking treatment. Currently, the VA has more flexible timelines for providing care through its Veterans Community Care Program. The bill specifically targets veterans with service-connected mental health disorders rated at 50% disability or higher, creating a faster access requirement for this population. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects disabled veterans—both those enrolled in the VA health care system and those recently discharged (within 12 months)—who have mental health conditions connected to their military service.
The VA would also be affected, as it would need to adjust its care delivery standards to meet the five-day requirement. **Current status:** HR 241 was introduced by Republican Representative Rudy Yakym of Indiana and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House. The bill is named after Sergeant Ted Grubbs, suggesting it may have been inspired by a specific case involving veteran mental health care access.
CRS Official Summary
Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans ActThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish care or services under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) to an eligible veteran with a service-connected mental disorder not later than five days after the veteran seeks care for such disorder. Current law requires the VA to establish access standards for furnishing hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under the VCCP to veterans who are (1) enrolled in the VA health care system, or (2) not enrolled but are in the 12-month period following their discharge from service and meet other requirements (e.g., having a service-connected disability).Under the bill, the VA must modify its access standards for furnishing such care and services under the VCCP to require the provision of care or services not later than five days after an eligible veteran with a service-connected mental disorder rated at 50% or more seeks treatment for such disorder.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.