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HCR 42

Urge Congress to enact the Veterans' ACCESS Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steve Demetriou and 1 co-sponsor

Ohio urges Congress to pass the Veterans’ ACCESS Act to strengthen the Veterans Community Care Program and expand timely, quality care for veterans.

Introduced and Referred to Committee
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Bill Summary · HCR 42

Summary of HCR 42 (136th General Assembly, Ohio)

Bill overview

  • Type: Concurrent resolution
  • Sponsor(s): Reps. Demetriou and Willis (co-sponsors)
  • Status: Introduced May 13, 2026; referred to committee
  • Jurisdiction: Ohio
  • Purpose: Urge Congress to enact the Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 (S. 275, H.R. 740) and to reinforce support for veterans’ access to timely and quality health care through the Veterans Community Care Program.

Main purpose and intent

  • The resolution expresses Ohio’s support for legislative action at the federal level to enhance veterans’ health care access.
  • It specifically urges Congress to pass the Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025, which would codify and strengthen the Veterans Community Care Program created under the VA MISSION Act of 2018, with the aim of improving veterans’ access to care and expanding mental health and substance use treatment options.

Key provisions and changes proposed (through the resolution’s call to action)

  • Endorsement of the Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 (S. 275, H.R. 740) as a legislative vehicle to:
    • Codify existing community care access standards established by the 2018 VA MISSION Act.
    • Strengthen the Veterans Community Care Program, providing veterans with clearer and more reliable health care options.
    • Expand access to mental health and substance use treatment for veterans.
    • Improve overall access to timely health care that best meets individual veterans’ needs.
  • Reinstatement and emphasis on the VA’s Office of Community Care:
    • The resolution urges the reinstitution of the VA’s Office of Community Care to provide dedicated oversight for community care services.
  • A reaffirmation of bipartisan support for the 2018 MISSION Act and ongoing modernization of veteran care policies.
  • Public communication goals:
    • Transmit copies of the resolution to federal leaders (President, Vice President, congressional leaders), Ohio’s delegation, and media to advocate for Congressional action.

Who would be affected

  • Veterans, particularly those who rely on the VA Community Care Program for medical services outside VA facilities.
  • The Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically the Office of Community Care and related program administrators, if federal legislation is enacted.
  • Ohio veterans’ communities and associated advocacy groups, which may experience changes in care access processes or funding models depending on federal action.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • This is a concurrent resolution urging federal action; it does not itself create or alter law at the state level.
  • It references and seeks to influence federal legislation (S. 275, H.R. 740) during the 2025-2026 session.
  • Once introduced, the resolution would be transmitted to federal targets and publicized through the Governor/President and Congress, with potential impact contingent on federal action.

Context and rationale (as provided in the resolution)

  • Ohio hosts a large veteran population (over 700,000), ranking among states with significant veteran presence.
  • The resolution cites concerns about veteran suicides in Ohio and the broader costs of ongoing military conflicts.
  • It notes perceived gaps or changes in VA programs and records (e.g., MISSION Act’s website decommissioning and internal guidance restricting community care), arguing for stronger protections and assurances in veterans’ health care access.
  • The bill frames the Veterans’ ACCESS Act as preserving and strengthening access options for veterans, with an emphasis on timely care and expanded mental health services.

Note for readers

  • As a concurrent resolution, HCR 42 expresses the sentiment and policy position of Ohio’s General Assembly and does not enact federal or state law. Its influence rests in encouraging federal legislative action and signaling statewide support for veterans’ health care reforms.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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