REP. BOEBERT INTRODUCES VETERANS’ MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS ACT TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE INPATIENT WAIT TIMES AND ESTABLISH TRANSPARENCY

LONE TREE, CO — Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) today introduced the Veterans’ Mental Health Access Act to ensure veterans in crisis can get inpatient mental health treatment for PTSD, depression, and substance abuse within 24 hours, requiring new transparency for inpatient wait times across the VA system.

“Veterans shouldn’t wait weeks for inpatient mental health care,” said Rep. Boebert. “That is unacceptable. When a veteran asks for help, America should answer immediately. 

Today, placement is generally reserved for an acute crisis, while residential care still takes weeks. New patient veterans have been reported to wait weeks to receive a bed in inpatient and residential mental health programs. 

The bill establishes new policy so eligible veterans must get inpatient care for PTSD, depression, or substance abuse within 24 hours of a request or a doctor’s order, at a VA hospital or through the Veterans Community Care Program if a VA bed is not open. It also requires the VA to publish wait times every six months, which it has never done. 

“No veteran in crisis should be left waiting,” Rep. Boebert said. “This bill gets them inpatient care for PTSD, depression, and substance abuse faster and creates a transparent process, so treatment actually improves.”

Read the legislation HERE.