H.R. 1972 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Mar 10, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryResets veteran referral timeline for community care
Right now, when the VA refers a veteran to a non-VA provider for care, the referral period starts on one date but the veteran's actual first appointment happens later. This bill would change that so the referral period for the Veterans Community Care Program officially begins on the day the veteran actually sees the non-VA provider for the first time.
How it affects you
This directly affects veterans who receive referrals from the VA for care at non-VA providers. The change means the referral time period—which determines when and how long that care can continue—would align with when they actually start receiving treatment, rather than starting earlier.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 10, 2025)
Standardizing Treatment and Referral Times Act of 2025 or the START Act of 2025
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that the period for a veteran’s referral for non-VA care under the Veterans Community Care Program begins on the day that the veteran has the first appointment with the non-VA provider.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1972
A BILL
START Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-1) · Introduced Mar 10, 2025 · Armed Forces and National Security · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 27, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.”