Veterans Mental and Behavioral Health Quality of Care Act

The Veterans Mental and Behavioral Health Quality of Care Act (H.R. 3811) would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire an independent, third-party organization to conduct a comprehensive study on mental health services. This study would compare the quality of care provided directly by VA facilities against the care provided by private, non-VA providers through community care programs.

The goal of this legislation is to provide an objective assessment of which healthcare setting offers better outcomes for veterans seeking behavioral and mental health treatment. For veterans and their families, this could eventually lead to more informed decisions regarding where to seek care and help the VA identify areas where its internal services or its private-sector partnerships need improvement.