Cramer, Hassan, Boozman, Slotkin Introduce Bill to Support Outdoor Rehabilitation for Veterans

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Veterans have increasingly pointed to outdoor recreation as a tool for recovery and reintegration after leaving military service, noting time in nature and shared activities can help rebuild community, reduce stress, and support long-term mental health. U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), along with U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), are proposing a new effort to expand veteran access to structured outdoor recreation programs across the country. The effort comes as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released its 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, highlighting persistent struggles with anxiety, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among former service members.

Cramer, Hassan, Boozman, and Slotkin introduced the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act; legislation aimed at helping veterans reconnect with community and improve their well-being through outdoor recreation. Early studies show these programs are an effective tool in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety among veterans.

The bill would create a federal grant program for state veterans' agencies to develop or expand outdoor recreation opportunities for former service members. Under the proposal, states could run programs directly or partner with local outfitters and recreation providers to offer nature-based activities. States and contracted partners are encouraged to coordinate with relevant federal land management agencies to utilize these spaces for the outdoor programs. Every state that applies would get a minimum of $200,000 to deliver services for veterans.

"Let's face it, for a lot of veterans, healing doesn't happen in a doctor's office," said Cramer. "One of our nation's greatest veterans and of course, eventually the Commander in Chief, the President, Theodore Roosevelt, escaped to North Dakota's badlands after the death of his wife and mother on the same day. After that inexplicable great grief, he credits North Dakota's outdoors as the place where the romance of his life began. Sometimes healing begins in places like a quiet trail, by the water, or under an open sky. Our bill helps state veterans' agencies expand outdoor recreation opportunities, so that more of the men and women who served our country can find their healing, hope, and a sense of calm in the outdoors once again, much like Theodore Roosevelt did."

"This bipartisan bill will expand access to outdoor rehabilitative and wellness programs for the brave men and women who have sacrificed to keep us safe, secure, and free," said Hassan. "Outdoor recreation is good not only for our physical health, but it has also been shown to improve our mental health. This bill is one more way to get veterans the support that they have earned and deserved."

"Veterans often find comfort and healing in the great outdoors, so helping increase their opportunities for healthy rehabilitation in those settings is important," said Boozman. "Our former servicemembers in Arkansas and nationwide struggling with anxiety, depression and the effects of PTSD will benefit from this commonsense, bipartisan solution that taps into their love for outdoor recreation through programs close to where they are. I am pleased to join my colleagues in this effort to support their mental health."

The program is designed to let states tailor programs to the interests and physical abilities of the veterans in their communities. States are responsible to collect and report data on participation and impacts on mental health and overall well-being.

This effort builds on progress made through the Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020, which established a task force to provide recommendations regarding the benefit of outdoor recreation activities for veterans and the use of federal lands to support these activities.

The Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act is supported by the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA), American Legion, Veterans Outdoor Advocacy Group, the Action Foundation, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the National Association of State Park Directors, and the Action Foundation.

"I thank Senator Cramer for bringing forward this important bill," said NDDVA Commissioner Lonnie Wangen. "Outdoor excursions have been proven to significantly improve the mental and physical well-being of our returning veterans. Programs like these have helped many veterans begin a new chapter in their journey back to civilian life."

"Veterans continue processing the experiences of their service long after their military career ends," said Ben Davis, a Navy SEAL Veteran and Executive Director of the Veterans' Outdoor Advocacy Group. "With millions of Americans transitioning from more than two decades of conflict, that work is happening across the country right now. Studies increasingly show that time spent in the outdoors can improve well-being, strengthen community, and support veterans as they move forward in civilian life. Expanding access to structured outdoor recreation ensures more veterans have the opportunity to benefit from those experiences."

"The National Association of State Park Directors supports the Veterans Outdoor Recreation Rehabilitation Act, which would help state park systems give veterans more options to access the outdoors," said Paul McCormack, CEO & President, National Association of State Park Directors. "State parks across the country are already improving accessibility through trails, boat ramps, campsites, and adaptive technologies. This grant program would allow state parks and our partners to scale these efforts to serve more veterans and their families."

"On behalf of the Action Foundation, I am pleased to express our strong support for the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act," said Audra Klinker, Executive Director of the Action Foundation. "This bill aligns closely with our mission by increasing access for veterans across the United States to beneficial outdoor and nature-based activities. It will also strengthen collaborative ties with nonprofit organizations and veterans service organizations, facilitating more effective program delivery and broader impact."

Click here for bill text.