Budget Amendment ID: FY2026-S3-808

OTH 808

Access to Veteran Healthcare

Messrs. Velis and Tarr, Mrs. Dooner and Mr. O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by adding the following section:-

“SECTION XX. The executive office of veterans services shall establish a secure portal for veterans and family members to submit information and complaints regarding access to healthcare services in the Commonwealth, including at any healthcare center or facility operated or associated with the United States department of veterans affairs.

The portal shall be made available on the office’s public website, and the office shall work to conduct outreach to inform veterans about the portal and gather feedback, including but not limited to: (i) publicly posted and open meetings in areas geographically located near department of veterans affairs centers; (ii) distribution of the portal through the statewide advocacy for veterans empowerment (SAVE) program, the supporting and empowering reintegration for veterans equality (SERVE) program, the office of housing, equity, resilience, and outreach services (HEROS) program, the veteran education, employment, and training (VEET) program, and the women veterans network (WVN); (iii) outreach to veterans organizations operating in the commonwealth; and (iv) outreach in coordination with the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs.

The office shall compile and review all information, data, complaints submitted through the portal on a bi-monthly basis and submit a report that includes but is not limited to: (i) complaints related to access veteran healthcare in the commonwealth at Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare centers; (ii) information related to changes in veteran healthcare in the commonwealth as a result of federal regulations; and (iii) any recommendations on action the commonwealth may be able to take to improve veteran healthcare. The office shall take all necessary steps to ensure that no identifiable or private information is shared.

The reports shall be submitted to the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs, the joint committee on health care financing, and the members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation.”