[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 492 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 492

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 10, 2025

 Mrs. Blackburn (for herself, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Wicker, and 
 Mr. Moran) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                   the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

                           December 17, 2025

             Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes community care as an essential tool for 
        meeting the health care needs of the veterans of the United 
        States;
            (2) affirms that community care complements, rather than 
        threatens, the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        (referred to in this resolution as the ``VA'');
            (3) 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
            (4) 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.
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