A resolution recognizing community care as an essential tool for meeting the health care needs of the veterans of the United States.

Whereas, 10 years ago, the Department of Veterans Affairs (referred to in this preamble as the VA) experienced a nationwide crisis regarding the ability to provide access to care that highlighted the urgent need for timely, high-quality services for veterans;
Whereas Congress responded with the bipartisan passage of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–182; 132 Stat. 1393), which expanded opportunities for veterans to receive care in their communities when the VA could not meet their needs;
Whereas community care has since proven to be a vital complement to the VA health care system, offering veterans greater convenience, accessibility, and choice, particularly for those in rural areas, those facing transportation or mobility challenges, and those requiring specialized treatment;
Whereas VA data demonstrate that community care is cost-effective and also strengthens veteran trust in the VA as an institution;
Whereas veterans, their families, and caregivers have consistently affirmed that community care provides life-saving access to oncology, mental health, emergency, pain management, and other essential services; and
Whereas Congress has consistently provided the VA with record levels of funding to support both direct care and community care, ensuring that resource constraints should never justify limiting veterans’ access to needed treatment: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
recognizes community care as an essential tool for meeting the health care needs of the veterans of the United States;
affirms that community care complements, rather than threatens, the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs (referred to in this resolution as the VA);
urges the VA to implement the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–182; 132 Stat. 1393) in both letter and spirit, ensuring veterans have timely access to community providers when the VA cannot meet their needs; and
reaffirms the commitment of the Senate to ensuring that every veteran has timely access to high-quality, affordable, and veteran-centered care, whether provided in VA facilities or in the community.