Senators Cynthia Lummis and Steve Daines have introduced new legislation aimed at ensuring veterans in Wyoming have access to mental healthcare within their communities. The bill, known as the Protecting Veteran Community Care Act, is designed to strengthen existing community care programs and limit the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) ability to restrict access to these services.
“Providing for those who’ve defended our nation is the VA’s core purpose,” said Senator Lummis. She emphasized that veterans in Wyoming deserve high-quality healthcare services regardless of where they live and committed to ensuring that they can access necessary medical care locally.
Senator Daines echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of addressing mismanagement and delays within the VA system. “Our nation’s veterans have put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and the last thing they should have to worry about is mismanagement and delays at the VA,” he stated. He expressed pride in collaborating with colleagues on this bill to enhance community-based mental health programs for veterans.
Tim Sheppard, Executive Director of the Wyoming Veterans Commission, also voiced support for the legislation. “No veteran should face unnecessary delays in accessing mental health care,” he said, noting that the bill prioritizes timely access for those who served.
The 2018 VA MISSION Act previously overhauled the VA Choice Program to improve healthcare access for veterans. However, there have been ongoing issues with long waiting periods and rescheduled appointments. This new legislation aims to address these shortcomings by requiring the VA to track community care data and report statistics to Congress.
