Legislative Issues: Veterans Mental Health
Across our nation, there are more than 2,000 community-based mental health organizations, ready and qualified to provide quality psychological care to our veterans close to their homes. Community providers’ 40-year track record of providing critical mental health services to nearly six million Americans annually, combined with their more comprehensive geographic coverage and deep roots in our communities, ideally equips them to answer the growing need to treat our troops for PTSD and other disabling mental disorders.
The National Council has advocated for legislation that requires the Veterans Administration to partner with community mental health organizations to supplement its capacity.
Brain Drain: Article in Modern Healthcare, Feb 18, 2008
A report on how the VA is luring away workers from community behavioral health organizations through better pay and multiyear signing bonuses despite the National Council's urging the VA to partner with existing resources.
Special Report: Modern Healthcare interviews Chuck Ingoglia, National Council's Vice President, Public Policy
A discussion on how the VA's growing demand for behavioral health professionals is creating a crisis for community providers. If you are not a Modern Healthcare subscriber, you must first complete the free registration to access the podcast.
Overview of legislation on veterans' mental health
The Veterans Mental Health Outreach and Access Act (S 38/HR 2689) would authorize the VA to increase the availability of mental health support for veterans and to contract with community mental health centers to provide services.
Frequently asked questions on S 38, Veteran’s Mental Health Outreach and Access Act
Text of S 38, Veterans Mental Health Outreach and Access Act
Letters of support for Veterans Mental Health Outreach and Access Act
Press release: Help for veterans' mental health
Overview of legislation on veterans' mental health
On May 23, Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Barack Obama (D-IL) introduced a bill to improve access to mental health services for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill includes all of the elements of the appropriations request the National Council and Mental Health America have been pursuing in Congress, including a provision to obligate the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund the creation of service partnerships with community mental health and addictions agencies to expand access to mental health services for National Guard members and reservists living in rural America.
The Veterans Mental Health Outreach and Access Act (S 38) would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop and implement a comprehensive national program to increase the availability of mental health support so that veterans affected by combat-related mental health problems do not go without the care they need. In remote areas of the country in which the VA determines there is inadequate access to a VA medical center, the Veterans Mental Health Outreach and Access Act directs the Secretary of the VA to contract with community mental health centers to provide treatment and support services and readjustment counseling. All contract-providers would be required to hire a qualified peer specialist and have its clinicians participate in a training program to ensure services are tailored to meet the specialized needs of combat-affected veterans.
The bill also calls on the Secretary of VA to develop a national program to train returning service members for positions as peer outreach workers and support specialists. The bill places particular emphasis on providing services for National Guardsmen and Reserve veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. These civilian soldiers often return from combat duty and immediately resume civilian life and may not have adequate access to readjustment services or VA facilities. The legislation includes provisions to extend counseling services to veterans’ families, who may also experience issues with readjustment after their loved-ones have returned from deployment.
On June 12, Representatives Representatives Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Steve Pearce (R-NM), and Albio Sires (D-NJ) introduced the Veterans Mental Health Outreach and Access Act (HR 2689) in the House. HR 2689 has been incorporated into legislation drafted by the House Veterans Affairs Committee - it is now also part of the Veterans' Health Care Improvement Act of 2007 (HR 2874). The bill, introduced by Representative Michael Michaud (D-ME), was passed in the House on August 6, 2007.
HR 2874 would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop and implement a comprehensive national program to increase the availability of mental health support so that veterans affected by combat-related mental health problems do not go without the care they need. In remote areas of the country in which the VA determines there is inadequate access to a VA medical center, the Veterans Mental Health Outreach and Access Act directs the Secretary of the VA to contract with community mental health centers to provide treatment and support services and readjustment counseling.
The bill also calls on the Secretary of VA to develop a national program to train returning service members for positions as peer outreach workers and support specialists. The bill places particular emphasis on providing services for National Guardsmen and Reserve veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. These civilian soldiers often return from combat duty and immediately resume civilian life and may not have adequate access to readjustment services or VA facilities.
The bill, passed by voice vote, was an omnibus measure that combines several pieces of legislation passed by the House and Senate veterans committees. The package also includes provisions to increase care for homeless and low-income veterans and authorizes a transportation grants program for veterans in rural areas.
Letters of support for legislation (S 28/HR 2689)
Letter from Disabled American Veterans
Letter from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Letter from Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Letter from Vietnam Veterans of America
Letter from Wounded Warrior Project
An Achievable Vision: Report of the Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health, June 2007.
GAO Congressional testimony on VA Healthcare: Preliminary Information on Resources Allocated for Mental Health Strategic Plan Initiatives, October 2006.
Vital Mission: Ending Homelessness Among Veterans, a research report from the Homelessness Research Institute and the National Alliance to End Homelessness, November 2007.
