Representing VA with Accuracy Act
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve telephone communication by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Improvement of telephone communication by Department of Veterans Affairs
“6321. Telephone communication
“(a) Calls associated with Department—Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall ensure that any call made to a veteran by an employee or contractor of the Department regarding services or benefits furnished by the Department—
“(1) is made from a single, well-known telephone number; and
“(2) uses caller identification branding that indicates to the veteran that the call is from or on behalf of the Department.
“(b) Call centers for health care appointments and referrals
“(1) In general—Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall ensure that the Veterans Health Administration has at least one call center in each of the time zones specified in paragraph (2) to address concerns regarding appointments and referrals for health care under the laws administered by the Secretary.
“(2) Time zones specified—The time zones specified in this paragraph are the following:
“(A) Eastern time.
“(B) Central time.
“(C) Mountain time.
“(D) Pacific time.
“(E) Alaska time.
“(F) Hawaii time.
“(3) Clarification—The Secretary is not required to ensure that the Veterans Health Administration has a call center in any location generally within a time zone specified in paragraph (2) that does not follow daylight time.”