U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has announced his support as a cosponsor for three legislative proposals aimed at improving care for veterans in the United States. The bills include the Veterans’ ACCESS Act, the TAP Promotion Act, and the Written Informed Consent Act.
Senator Lee stated, “The patriots who have put their lives on the line to serve our country deserve competent care, not bureaucratic red tape and systems that ignore their unique needs. I’m proud to cosponsor legislation to improve efficiency in VA systems so that our veterans are heard and helped in the ways they need. These bills will prioritize veterans’ voices, help with burdensome paperwork, and ensure patients are well informed about potential medication side effects. These changes will get our veterans the competent, efficient care they’ve earned.”
The Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act seeks to set community care access standards as the baseline for veterans seeking treatment outside of VA facilities. It also aims to expand access to treatment programs for mental health conditions or addiction and considers veteran preference and continuity of care when making referrals.
The TAP Promotion Act addresses challenges faced by service members transitioning out of military service. Under current law, instructors in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) cannot assist participants with filing benefits paperwork. This bill would allow accredited members of Veterans Service Organizations and similar groups to help service members file claims and complete medical evaluations before leaving service.
The Written Informed Consent Act proposes an amendment requiring written consent from veterans before prescribing certain medications such as antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and narcotics. The measure is intended to ensure that veterans are aware of all known side effects associated with these drugs.
Senator Lee maintains offices in Salt Lake City, St. George, Vernal, Utah, and Washington, D.C., where he represents the entire state of Utah as its U.S. Senator (official website). He advocates for limited government and fiscal responsibility while engaging in legislative efforts related to public safety, health care, and economic issues (official website). His office provides constituent services including communication on federal matters (official website).
