New VA Bill Mandates Paperwork and Training Goals for Community Care Providers, Reports Due Every 120 Days

The “CARING for Our Veterans Health Act of 2025” isn't about opening new clinics; it’s about fixing the frustrating paperwork gap that happens when veterans get care outside the VA system. Think of it as a massive administrative clean-up effort, specifically targeting the records mess created when a veteran sees a local doctor or specialist under a VA referral.

The Paper Chase: Getting Records Back on Time

This bill, specifically Section 2, hands the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Under Secretary for Health a clear mandate: figure out how to get medical records back from non-VA community providers faster and more accurately. Right now, veterans often get care outside the VA, but the final medical records sometimes take months to make it back into their official VA file. This delay can interrupt follow-up care or make it harder for VA doctors to get the full picture.

To solve this, the VA’s Office of Integrated Veteran Care must create clear guidance for VA medical centers on how to aggressively track down and retrieve those final medical documents. More importantly, they have to set specific performance goals—targets for how quickly they get the initial paperwork and the final records. This means the VA will finally have metrics to judge if the system is working. For the veteran, this should translate into fewer calls about missing records and a more seamless transition between community and VA care.

Mandatory Training and Clear Communication

It’s not just about paperwork; it’s about making sure the community providers know the rules. The bill requires the VA to set goals and track compliance for mandatory training that community providers must complete. If you’re a doctor or physical therapist who treats veterans, expect the VA to be much stricter about making sure you finish required courses on time.

The VA, along with its contractors, must now clearly communicate which trainings are required and which are merely recommended. This cuts down on the confusion for the external providers and ensures they understand the specific protocols for treating veterans and submitting documentation. This is a positive step toward reducing administrative friction, though it does add a new layer of compliance for those busy community clinics.

Reporting and Accountability

Accountability is baked into the bill. The Under Secretary for Health must report to the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees within 120 days of the bill becoming law, and then every 120 days thereafter. They have to keep sending these updates until all the new guidance, goals, and tracking systems are fully operational. This recurring reporting requirement ensures Congress keeps the pressure on the VA to actually implement these changes, rather than letting the administrative overhaul stall out. For veterans, this legislative oversight means the push for better care coordination won't just fade away.