Brownley Applauds House Passage of Legislation to Expand Mental Health Access for Veterans and Families

Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the VA Marriage and Family Therapists Equity Act, legislation authored by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health.

"Veterans and their families face unique challenges when service ends and the transition to civilian life begins," said Congresswoman Brownley. "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists are often the professionals helping these families hold it together during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Yet a bureaucratic rule at VA has discouraged many of these highly qualified providers from serving our veterans.

"This bill is about removing that barrier and expanding access to care at a time when demand for mental health services has never been greater. It is about upholding our promise to care for veterans after their service, not just with words, but with real access to the support their families need to stay strong and healthy."

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) are often the professionals helping veterans, spouses, and children navigate the stress, trauma, and major life changes that follow military service. They help families rebuild stability, strengthen communication, and develop healthy coping mechanisms during the difficult transition to civilian life.

However, current VA promotion rules allow only LMFTs who graduated from programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) to advance into supervisory roles. Nationwide, nearly 30 percent of LMFTs did not graduate from COAMFTE programs. In states like New York, Florida, and Ohio, that number approaches 40 percent. In California, it reaches 95 percent.

These therapists are fully licensed and recognized by private insurance, TRICARE, and some state Medicaid programs. But within the VA system, they face a career ceiling they cannot overcome because this credential cannot be obtained retroactively. As a result, many qualified therapists leave the VA workforce or never apply, shrinking the pool of providers at a time when demand for veterans' mental health services continues to grow.

The VA Marriage and Family Therapists Equity Act (H.R. 658) eliminates this restriction, helping VA recruit and retain highly qualified therapists and ensuring veterans and their families have greater access to the care they need.

H.R. 658 passed the House by voice vote and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Read the full text of the bill here.

Issues: 119th Congress, Veterans' Affairs