Improving Veteran Access to Care Act
Key claim: S607 would require the VA to establish an integrated project team to modernize health care appointment scheduling, including a unified platform and telephonic scheduling support, coordinated with the VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization Program.
Abstract
(S607 · 119th Congress) Improving Veteran Access to Care Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish an integrated project team to improve the process for scheduling VA health care appointments. Among other objectives, the team must (1) develop or continue the development of a scheduling system and platform that enables personnel and patients of the VA to view available appointments for VA care, (2) create a process through which patients can telephonically speak with a scheduler who can assist in determining availability and scheduling, and (3) carry out other functions with respect to health care appointments furnished by the VA. In carrying out its objectives, the team must consult and coordinate with the deployment schedule and capabilities of the VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization Program. If the VA determines a required objective or any feature or service in connection with an objective cannot be implemented or incorporated, the VA must report to Congress providing an explanation and setting forth a plan without that objective. The VA must also report to Congress on the progress in fulfilling the team’s objectives under the bill. Latest action (2025-12-19): Held at the desk.
Why this matters
Appointment scheduling is a persistent bottleneck for veteran access to care, and this bill targets the underlying infrastructure by tying a unified scheduling platform to the ongoing Electronic Health Record Modernization Program. If enacted, it could affect how quickly veterans get seen in both VA facilities and community care referrals, though as an introduced bill it makes no immediate change to coverage or eligibility.