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Bill

A 10142

Relates to veterans health care

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Judy Griffin and 1 co-sponsor

A study will review and improve New York veterans health care access, coverage, and delivery, focusing on mental health, women veterans, and benefits navigation.

REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 10142

Overview

Bill A. 10142 (2025-2026, New York) would add a formal study and review of veterans health care within the state. The bill requires the state Department of Veterans’ Services, in consultation with the Department of Health, to conduct a comprehensive review of how to improve health care access, coverage, and delivery for veterans and their families, with a particular focus on women veterans, mental health, and navigation of benefits. The study must be completed and reported to the Legislature by December 31, 2027. The act would take effect 60 days after becoming law.

Purpose and Intent

  • To assess and improve veterans health care in New York State.
  • To identify gaps in access to health care coverage and services for veterans and their families.
  • To ensure veterans’ needs are incorporated into broader state efforts to expand affordable, quality health care.
  • To explore targeted improvements for mental health, reproductive health, and suicide prevention among veterans.
  • To evaluate practical tools (e.g., health care navigators, health care choice accounts) to enhance timely access to care and benefits.

Key Provisions

  1. Establishment of the Veterans Health Care Review

    • A new study led by the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) with input from the Department of Health (DOH).
    • Deadline: report to the Legislature by December 31, 2027.

  2. Scope of the Study

    • Increase access to health care coverage and services for veterans and families.
    • Leverage existing resources and accessibility structures for veterans.
    • Ensure veterans’ needs are integrated into state efforts to broaden access to affordable, high-quality health care.
    • Expand access to mental health treatment, including:
      • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
      • Depression
      • Anxiety
      • Military sexual trauma
      • Reproductive health
      • Suicide prevention
    • Enhance primary, reproductive, and mental health care resources for women veterans.
    • Identify all federal and other health benefits, coverage, and services available to veterans and families.
    • Improve coordination with local, state, and federal agencies, health care providers, and health insurance programs to assist veterans in applying for coverage and receiving coordinated services.
    • Help veterans overcome barriers to enrollment and improve delivery and coordination of health services.

  3. Additional Study Elements

    • Assess whether current programs meet veterans’ and families’ needs.
    • Review health care services and resources available to women veterans; assess adequacy and propose expansion.
    • Propose steps to increase access to affordable, quality health care.
    • Consider designating health care navigators to assist veterans in navigating benefits and services.
    • Evaluate delays in receiving health care and identify ways to assist veterans experiencing timeliness issues.
    • Evaluate the potential effectiveness of Health Care Choice Accounts (HCCAs) for certain veterans.
      • HCCA defined: a veteran-owned individual savings account to obtain health care from a provider of their choice.
      • Applicability: for veterans who, after applying for or scheduling care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system, experience timely access barriers.
      • Tax treatment: deposits into HCCAs would be deductible from the veteran’s New York State personal income tax.
      • Target group: veteran members of the organized militia who served on active duty in a U.S. combat zone and have a current disability incurred or aggravated by that service.

Affected Parties

  • Veterans and their families residing in New York State.
  • Women veterans (distinct focus within the study and recommendations).
  • Health care providers and health systems serving veterans.
  • State agencies: Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) and Department of Health (DOH).
  • Potential beneficiaries of new programs (e.g., navigators, Health Care Choice Accounts) if implemented.

Timelines and Procedural Details

  • Study initiation: to be conducted by DVS in consultation with DOH.
  • Report due: December 31, 2027.
  • Effective date: 60 days after enactment (standard legislative delay before provisions take effect).
  • Legislative progress: The bill has moved through committees and advanced to third reading; reported and passed in the Assembly as of May 2026 and sent to the Senate for consideration.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Provides a structured, evidence-based approach to optimizing veterans health care in New York.
  • May lead to new programs (e.g., health care navigators, health care choice accounts) if the study supports them and if corresponding legislation is enacted.
  • Could enhance coordination across multiple state and federal programs to reduce barriers to care and improve timely access.
  • Emphasizes mental health, women veterans’ needs, and trauma-related care, aligning with broader national priorities.
  • The HCCA component introduces an optional savings/account mechanism with tax implications; practical design, administration, and eligibility specifics would be determined in subsequent actions if the study recommends it.

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-language FAQ-style quick guide or a side-by-side comparison with existing veteran health care programs in New York.

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

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