The Never Fight Alone Act would change title 38 of the U.S. Code to expand the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Community Care Program. The bill lets veterans who need residential mental health or substance‑use treatment use community programs when the VA cannot provide timely care. It adds a specific eligibility category for veterans who meet VA priority criteria but cannot be admitted to a VA Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program, or whose care the VA cannot provide in line with VA access standards.
The bill requires the VA to: set minimum licensing and accreditation standards for community residential programs (state license and Joint Commission or CARF behavioral health accreditation); consider alternate community programs if a program does not meet standards; and allow a facility director to grant individual waivers if no suitable program is available. The VA must update access standards for mental health community care within 90 days so they are not more restrictive than specialty care standards. The bill also: prevents the VA from denying eligibility solely because community providers cannot meet wait-time standards; requires that veterans be allowed to choose among available care options; adds reporting requirements on community care requests and outcomes; and prevents most future changes to access standards from taking effect until Congress approves a joint resolution.
No publicly available information.
Sponsors and findings in the bill say the changes will expand access to community mental health and residential substance‑use care when VA programs cannot meet demand. The bill’s sponsors cite concerns about veteran waits for care, the need for community options when VA facilities cannot serve a veteran locally, and the ongoing problem of veteran suicide. They also say telehealth is helpful but not always an adequate substitute for in‑person residential treatment.
No publicly available information.