On January 13, 2026, Mission Roll Call’s Chief Executive Officer, Jim Whaley, testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health in Washington, D.C., to present the veteran community’s data-driven priorities on a broad slate of legislation addressing critical areas of veteran health care. The hearing focused on policies related to suicide prevention, traumatic brain injury, access to care, mental health, addiction treatment, and innovations in care delivery.

Jim opened his remarks by reiterating Mission Roll Call’s mission: to bring unfiltered veteran perspectives directly into policymaking through systematic polling and engagement. He emphasized that the bills under consideration — from the RECOVER Act to the BEACON Act, as well as proposals on access, TBI care, and pain management — reflect problems veterans have consistently identified in MISSION ROLL CALL’s national surveys.

Bringing the Veteran Voice to Suicide Prevention

Jim highlighted data from Mission Roll Call’s National Suicide Prevention Survey (July 2025) showing that veterans see suicide prevention not as a single program issue but as a system problem requiring multiple tools. A large majority of respondents emphasized that suicide prevention requires both clinical treatment and community-based support working together, and that community providers must be included in prevention efforts. Veterans also stressed the importance of training, coordination, and accountability in suicide prevention strategies.

In his testimony, Jim noted that the RECOVER Act (H.R. 2283) aligns with these priorities by expanding community-based mental health capacity, supporting provider training on veteran risk factors, and requiring transparent outcome reporting so policymakers and health systems can evaluate what works in practice.

Addressing Gaps in Traumatic Brain Injury Care

Jim also discussed the significant access challenges veterans face in obtaining appropriate care for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Drawing on MISSION ROLL CALL’s TBI Priorities Survey (August 2026), he noted that an overwhelming majority of veterans believe access to specialized TBI care is extremely important, yet many who seek care find it difficult to obtain.

He highlighted the BEACON Act as responding directly to that need by establishing a structured, evidence-based framework for evaluating innovative neurorehabilitation approaches — including rigorous independent outcome measurement and clear criteria for expanding access based on real results.

Modernizing Care and Accountability

In addition to TBI and mental health, Jim voiced support for measures that modernize how the VA delivers care. He testified in favor of the NOPAIN for Veterans Act and Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act (H.R. 2426), describing how MISSION ROLL CALL’s broader polling shows veterans are concerned about overly narrow treatment approaches, want evidence-based options, and value care that can be evaluated and improved over time.

These bills — when considered together — reflect priorities veterans have repeatedly expressed: the need for expanded, measurable options that reduce risk and improve outcomes across the health care system.

Improving Access in Rural and Remote Communities

Another theme of Jim’s testimony was the persistent access gaps in rural, remote, and overseas communities. Citing data from Mission Roll Call’sACCESS Act Survey, he underscored veteran support for expanding community care options, streamlining access processes, and ensuring care is available when and where it is needed.

Jim expressed support for the Veterans Health Desert Reform Act and the U.S. Vets of the Freely Associated States Act as vehicles to leverage community providers, telehealth, and pharmacy services to break down geographic barriers to care.

A Data-Driven Path Forward

Throughout his testimony, Jim stressed that good policy starts with listening and that veterans consistently want transparent rules, reliable access, and accountability for outcomes. He concluded by urging Congress to continue grounding veteran health policy in the perspectives and experiences of those who have served.

A full video of the hearing and Jim Whaley’s complete testimony are available here and through the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee repository.