Never Fight Alone Act
May 12, 2026
Introduced: May 12, 2026
May 12, 2026
Introduced: May 12, 2026
Summary
Makes it easier for veterans to get mental health and substance use care from local providers if the Department of Veterans Affairs cannot provide it quickly.
What problem does this solve?
Many veterans face long waits or have trouble getting mental health and substance use treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This bill allows veterans to use approved local healthcare providers if the VA cannot meet its own standards for timely care.
What does this bill do?
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 3(a)(1)(A)(iii)
Header:
Expansion of Veterans Community Care Program to include access to mental health or
Expands access to community mental health care
Allows veterans to use the Veterans Community Care Program for residential mental health or substance use services if the VA cannot provide priority admission or meet its own timely care standards.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 4
Header:
Prohibition on certain limitations on access of veterans to care
Gives veterans choice in care options
Requires the Secretary to let a veteran choose their preferred option if multiple community care choices are available.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 6
Header:
Limitation on modification of community care access standards
Requires congressional approval for future changes
Prevents the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from changing community care access standards without Congress passing a joint resolution to approve the changes.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 3(a)(3)
Header:
Minimum standards for residential mental health or substance-Use services
Sets standards for community treatment facilities
Ensures that community residential mental health or substance use facilities are licensed by the state and accredited by specific national organizations, though waivers are possible.
Adds new reporting requirements
Requires the VA to report data on community care requests, approvals, denials, appeals, and specific metrics for mental health care.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 4
Header:
Prohibition on certain limitations on access of veterans to care
Prevents denial based on provider availability
Prohibits the VA from denying a veteran community care just because local providers are also unable to meet the VA's wait time or access standards.
Who does this affect?
- Veterans seeking mental health or substance-use services
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Community healthcare providers
What is the real world impact?
•
Provides faster mental health care for veterans
Reduces wait times for critical mental health and substance use services by allowing veterans to seek care from community providers when the VA system is unable to provide timely appointments. This aims to lower the rate of veteran suicide.
•
Increases veteran choice in healthcare
Gives veterans more control over their healthcare by allowing them to choose a community provider if multiple options are available, rather than being limited to VA facilities that may be far away or have long waitlists.
When does this start?
This bill would take effect when it becomes law, but it sets a specific deadline for one action.
Update to Access Standards
Within 90 days of the bill becoming law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must update access standards for mental health care to ensure they are not stricter than those for specialty care.