Citizen Outreach has joined a coalition of organizations signing a letter to support the CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025 (H.R. 3132). This bill aims to reform the VA benefits system and give veterans more options when seeking help with their claims.
The Coalition’s Message
The letter, addressed to the House Veterans Affairs Committee, makes a strong case for reforming the current VA system. The coalition points out three clear issues:
“the current system is not meeting their needs, Veterans need more options not less, and those options can and should be regulated to prevent predatory practices.”
These problems have persisted for years, with many veterans struggling to navigate the complex VA bureaucracy. The coalition believes the CHOICE Act offers a solution that balances freedom of choice with appropriate consumer protections.
The coalition letter strongly endorses this bill and urges all Members to vote “yes” during the May 6th full Committee mark-up of this important legislation. This show of support from multiple organizations highlights the broad appeal of the reforms included in the bill.
Why This Matters to You
When it comes to helping our veterans, the current system just isn’t cutting it. Many vets wait months or even years to get the benefits they’ve earned. The VA has a complex maze of paperwork that’s tough to navigate alone.
“It’s simple – these bills will help deliver the world-class care that veterans deserve,” said Rep. Mike Bost, who chairs the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
The CHOICE Act, led by three-star General Congressman Jack Bergman and Chairman Bost, aims to change that by giving veterans more options. For conservatives who value limited government and freedom of choice, this bill represents an important step toward empowering veterans rather than expanding bureaucracy.
What’s in the Bill
The CHOICE for Veterans Act reforms the VA accreditation process, “allowing a path for current for-profit private companies to finally become accredited.” This means more qualified professionals can help veterans navigate the benefits system.
The bill also includes:
“common sense consumer protection measures to ensure Veterans are not taken advantage of, and permits civil and criminal penalties to those violating this new system.”
This balanced approach ensures that opening up the system doesn’t lead to exploitation.
Some of these protections include:
- “Mandatory disclosure of free services such as VSOs and Congressional Offices”
- “Prohibition on up-front fees”
- “A fee cap on the maximum allowable charge”
- “Mandatory flexible, zero interest payment plans for the veteran”
- Prohibitions on “direct solicitation, promising an increase, having doctors on companies payrolls preforming secondary medical exams, using international call or data centers, and from taking on a veteran client within the first 365 days of their discharge.”
Veterans Deserve Better Options
The letter makes it clear that:
“The CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025 is long overdue.”
Veterans have been dealing with an inefficient system for decades, and this bill represents a chance to finally make meaningful improvements.
The coalition argues that giving veterans more choice doesn’t mean abandoning oversight. Instead, it means creating a framework where qualified professionals can help veterans while following strict rules to ensure ethical conduct.
Many veterans report waiting months or even years for their benefits claims to be processed. Others struggle to understand the complex requirements for documenting their service-connected disabilities. With more accredited professionals available to help, these barriers could be reduced.
What Happens Next
The House Veterans Affairs Committee will vote on this bill on May 6th . If it passes committee, it will move to the full House for a vote.
If you support giving veterans more choices, you can call your representative and ask them to vote for the CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025 (H.R. 3132). Your voice can help ensure this important reform becomes law.
As the coalition letter states:
“It’s time for the Committee to pass this bill and we urge the full U.S. House to act quickly on final passage.”
For too long, Washington bureaucrats have decided how veterans can get help. This bill puts that choice back where it belongs – with the veterans themselves.
Read the full letter here.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
