VA PRESS RELEASE:
SWEEPING VETERANS' MENTAL HEALTH BILL NOW LAW
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kawika Riley (Veterans’ Affairs)October 10, 2008(202) 224-9126
SWEEPING VETERANS’ MENTAL HEALTH BILL NOW LAW
Akaka’s legislation was inspired by first-hand accounts from veterans and their families
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, issued the following statement today regarding enactment of S. 2162, the Veterans Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008. S. 2162, introduced by Senator Akaka and cosponsored by a bipartisan group of Senators, makes various improvements to veterans’ mental health and other forms of care. The bill pays tribute to Justin Bailey, an Iraq war veteran who returned from combat only to lose his life to PTSD and an accidental overdose of prescription medications.
“Now that S. 2162 has been enacted, VA can incorporate these provisions to improve its strategy against the injury and enemy of PTSD and other invisible wounds,” said Akaka.
In his floor statement urging passage of S. 2162, Akaka detailed the origins of his legislation: “The legislation did not stem from a lobbyist or an interest group. It came about because of one letter – a letter to me from the parents of Justin Bailey – Mary Kaye and Tony Bailey.
“Justin Bailey was a war veteran who survived Iraq only to die while receiving care from VA for PTSD and substance use disorder. A week after his death last year, Justin’s parents were naturally heartbroken by the death of their only son, but even more than that, they were concerned that other veterans might share his fate if VA mental health care did not improve,” said Akaka. The Bailey family has worked actively to improve veterans’ mental health, testifying before the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and supporting S. 2162.
S. 2162’s improvements to veterans’ mental health care include:
- Setting a standard minimum level of care for substance use disorder, and creating innovative enhancements to treatment
- Improving treatment to veterans with multiple disorders, such as PTSD and substance use disorder
- Mandating a review of VA’s residential mental health care facilities, to ensure that they are adequately staffed
- Creating a research program on PTSD and substance use disorder, in cooperation with the National Center for PTSD
- Enabling VA to provide mental health services to veterans’ families, and setting up a program to aid the families of returning servicemembers
- Rural Veterans: More than doubles the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement (from 11 to 28.5 cents per mile) eligible veterans can receive for travel to receive VA care, permanently sets the deductible to $3 each way for such travel, creates a pilot program on the use of peers to enhance outreach to rural veterans, and encourages coordination between VA and rural community-based resources.
- Emergency Care for Veterans: Corrects current procedures used by VA to reimburse community hospitals for emergency care provided to eligible veterans.
- VA Epilepsy Centers of Excellence: In recognition of the link between traumatic brain injury, a signature wound of the current conflicts, and epilepsy, establishes up to six VA Epilepsy Centers of Excellence focused on research, education, and clinical care for epilepsy.
- Veterans’ Pain Care: Requires a pain care program, including care for acute pain, for all VA inpatient facilities for long-term mental health and substance abuse care and to prevent long-term chronic pain disability, expands VA health care staff education on pain assessment and treatment, and increases VA research on pain care.
- Veterans’ Caregivers: Extends authority for VA to provide institutional and non-institutional long-term care and caregiver assistance services.
- Medical Construction: Authorizes a series of major medical facility construction projects and outpatient clinic leases.
- Homelessness: Creates targeted programs to assist low-income veterans, and increases funding capacity for the successful VA Grant and Per Diem program, which assists community-based organizations that serve homeless veterans.
- Rehabilitating Veterans: Expands a program to help formerly incarcerated veterans reintegrate into society through employment counseling and other services.
21 comments:
The passage of enactment S. 2162, the Veterans Mental Health and Other Care Improvemnet Act is very important to me. My daughters uncle is in the Army and is currently serving in Afghanistan. He will be home for some R&R at the end of this month.
I remember when he stayed with my daughters father and I after returning from the first Gulf War. He was only 20 at the time. He spoke very little of his experience, but he did mention having to kill women and children to me. Unfortunately his brother was not very understanding regarding the anger he was displaying. Many years later and after serving a number of tours since 9/11, he has warned my daughter and his family that he will be difficult to deal with.
There are many casualties of this war that have died as a result of suicide. On Nov 13, 2007, CBS did a report on the suicide epidemic among veterans. I am concerned for Michael and hope that he will receive the mental health care he needs when he returns home for good. I hope the passage of this legislation will improve the services veterans are receiving. Whether we support the war or not is irrelevant. Soldiers who serve deserve to receive the best care available and I am grateful Senator Akaka introduced this legislation to make improvements to veterans' mental health care.
Rosie G
I'm grateful to hear that the Veterans Mental Health and Other Care Improvement Act was passed and will now aid soldiers coming back from a war that have left many still fighting for there life here at home. Although people are not coming back with visible injuries, there are a lot of soldiers coming back from combat with PTSD and substance abuse disorders. It seems as if we as Americans have somewhat lost touch with what our men and woman are doing in Iraq, and hopefully this bill will shed importance and rememberance of everything they are doing, and what they are facing when they come back. I am glad that the government is provided much needed services and support to our troops and veterans. Now more than ever, we need to show support for what the men and woman are doing, and continuing that support as they come back home and face other issues.
Laura E.
This passage is also very important to me. My husband is a Vietnam veteran and my son-in-law served in Iraq. My husband served as Infantry during 1969-70. For years my husband kept quite regarding his experiences, and when he shared some with me, I wish he would not have. I don't think I need to go into detail regarding my husband's experiences, but what I will go into is that for many many years, he did not get the mental health care he desperately needed. He's on meds - and at times he seems to struggle. But he's still here - Thank God! As for my son-in-law, he is having a difficult time getting the mental health care he needs as well. He's been going to SA for sometime now, and when it seems he's about to get the help - another appointment is scheduled with another psychiatrist. And these appointments are scheduled about 9-10 months away because the VA in McAllen has only 1 psychiatrist employed! And yes, they both have been difficult to understand and deal with at times. This enactment is long overdue to all our servicemen that have given their "ALL" for their country-because even those that have come back to us alive - come back with hardend hearts.
Norfy G.
I see in the bill that the milage reimbursement rate was increased from .11 to .285. How generous. With the increase in gas prices the rate allowed state employees and individuals with medicaid is .585. The fixed deduction for taxes was place at $3.00 per trip. Again how generous of this bill. Both amounts are so low to be ridiculous. The bill does have provisions for facility construction. Perhaps some of the construction money will be for the long advocated VA hospital in the Rio Grande Valley. Russell A 8 of 12
After reading this blog, I am so glad to hear that the S. 2162 has been enacted and that VA can add provisions to improve its strategy against the injury and enemy of PTSD. I think all of the additions and support they are now giving the veterans and troops is a great thing and very much needed.
Cristina Lo.
i think war veterans should be one of the first disabled we should help. not that other ppl with disabilities are not important but there men and woman suffer from severe injuries and even mind bottling experience...and if VA cant even help our vets we got something wrong here....they put their life on the line for us so we should be able to take care of them in any way necessary when they return home,especially when the effect is psychological...it can cause more pain and hurt than we could ever kno...not only to the veteran him/herself but to the family as well
Gary G.
This enactment is going to be great! i cant believe the government barely thought of this now, well at least it got passed right. I have heard many sad stories about veterans hardship and struggles with different mental issues. I bet it is hard. I cant imagen how is must feel to replay tragic images from war. I hope that the S.2162 Act helps every Veteran out there. And I am glad that they are also going to consider the homeless veterans. I hate to see them out there on the street corners asking for help. I am sure they werent the ones asking to become addicted to drugs or alcohol. When I see that, i wonder "where is the government when this happens," "they went out there to fight for our country and when they needed the help we werent there to help them." Thats sad to know that we are barely Improving Mental Health care for our Veterans. This is great though and I apprieciate it, this will also help the families and friends of the veteran cope with the stress. Thank you to Senator Akaka for introducing this enactment!!
CARMEN G.
Although I do not have close members of my family in the armed forces I am very thankful to Sen. Akaka for taking up the task of bettering the services to all of the veterans. I have heard so many times on the news of how veterans are suffering and it is only fair that the government is there to provide the aid they need. I am glad that there will be more concious of the psychological effects that war has on people because often times eventhough they may not be visible they can seriously harm a person. Also the increase in mileage reimbursement is a good step but I think that there is much more improvement needed. For example, the veterans here in south texas urgently a closer facility instead of having to drive upstate. Nevertheless I appreciate the advancement that this act has brought and hope that there will be others to further help out veterans who truly deserve it.
Diana m.b.
That is great news for all those brave individuals who are veterans and need the appropriate mental health care treatments.
Rosa Maria Salazar
Long overdue, but Thank God, thanks to Senator Akaka, and thanks to the parents of Justin Bailey, and Justin the long awaited aid for our veterans is finally here.
My brother is a veteran, and he one of many valley veterans whom have to travel to San Antonio for treatments, the valley is big need of a veterans hospital closer to home, and we hope with this coming improvements maybe the valley will get a hospital closer than S.A.
I still recall traveling to San Antonio with my ex-husband, a Viet Nam veteran, and the expenses we endured back in the 70's.
I hope that our soldiers receive the help they need to deal with the scars of wars, because it's a shame that they put their lives on the line for all of us, and yet our government can not properly take care of them afterwards.
T. Estrada
I know exactly what Norfy G. is talking about in reference to her husband and son-in-law, I will never forget some of the scarey incidents that happened to me while still married to my first husband, he would at times have flashbacks of whatever he endured during his second tour in Nam. To this day he still deals with troubles with alcohol trying to drown all the horrors from the Viet Nam war.
T. Estrada
This act does bring some very much needed help to all veterans of this country. I just find it hard to believe that a letter from the Bailey family is what got the ball rolling. I am sure in the past 30+ years that numerous people have sent letters to congress pleading them for help.
Yes, it is a good start but we still have a long way to go. We should all send letters in support of a VA hospital in the valley. And like Russel mentioned we need a bigger increase when it comes to reimbursment of expences acquired on their trips to SA.
marilync
It is about time that something was done to help veterans with mental disorders. Physical disabilities are visible and easy to spot but stress and other mental conditions were being left behind and for that reason veterans often rejected coming back into society. We don't know what they saw in war, and how hard it was to overcome but with this bill their mental help will hopefully improve.
Diana Bernal
I agree with the Norfy G. that this new VA enactment is long overdue. As the result of the Iraq war, we now have more people in this world than ever before suffering from PSTD. And it is only right that receive proper medical care in combination with psychotherapy.
I was glad to read that this new enactment goes beyond the need of the individual and also provides services to veteran’s family. I feel that this program has the ability to provide compensation to those World war two veterans’ who may still be suffering from ptsd, substance abuse or poverty. This macro system approach to health care is bound to equal success; but only if this program is fully funded and properly advocated for.
Cris M.
Many men and women have been serving multiple terms in Afghanistan and Iraq. Most civilians forget about the hardships these soldiers have to endure. Considering that I don’t think I could physically or emotionally endure basic training, let alone combat, it is important that soldiers receive the best care possible as they integrate back into society. As several people have mentioned, there are many difficult issues soldiers will be facing. We have no idea what they have seen or have had to do while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The enactment of S. 2162 should hopefully bring much needed relief to the soldiers and their families. It is important that they know Americans appreciate their sacrifice and dedication and that they will have the mental health services available to them, should they need them. Soldiers should not return home only to die of PTSD related problems. Their quality of life is important and this bill sounds like it will help a lot.
Cameron L
The Veterans Mental Health and ohter Care Improvment Act is very much needed because there are so many veterans that come home and cannot deal with life after their experiences. I do know someone who served in Afghanistan and he did share some of his experiences and I do believe he does need the help. After coming back from Afghanistan he is not the same. He is more dependant on alcohol and is not as optomistic as before. The Mental Health law is now part of the agency I work for and we do help lots of individuals with PTSD and I am glad that they are asking and acknowledging that they are in need of the services. I have seen lots of veterans that come back and do not want to deal with reality so they depend on alcohol to get them through the day since most men and women do not want to talk about their experiences because to them it is like reliving it all over again. And being able to talk to a professional usually makes them feel better and understand why they want to forget that part of their lives. By understanding gives them a connection to the real world again. I have seen great progress on several of my clients after counseling.
The extent a person has to experience in order for some type of change to occur. It’s sad to hear about a terrible loss of one. The enactments of S. 2162 for Veteran will be new innovated idea for the VA clinic but much like other facilities here in the Valley, will the VA be able to provide such service. It’s scary to say but PTSD is very common in soldiers and the symptoms of PTSD not only affect the person but the family as well. When I went to the clinic I was not given any information or what to do or not to do when my husband had a flash back. Shouldn’t I have been some what informed? Still to this day I feel overwhelmed, hesitant to bring up stories or for anyone else to mention his experience. I think the VA should have given me something to help ease this discomfort.
Monica M.
The Veterans Mental Health and other Care Improvment Act is very much needed because there are so many veterans that come home and cannot deal with life after their experiences. I do know someone who served in Afghanistan and he did share some of his experiences and I do believe he does need the help. After coming back from Afghanistan he is not the same. He is more dependant on alcohol and is not as optomistic as before. The Mental Health law is now part of the agency I work for and we do help lots of individuals with PTSD and I am glad that they are asking and acknowledging that they are in need of the services. I have seen lots of veterans that come back and do not want to deal with reality so they depend on alcohol to get them through the day since most men and women do not want to talk about their experiences because to them it is like reliving it all over again. And being able to talk to a professional usually makes them feel better and understand why they want to forget that part of their lives. By understanding gives them a connection to the real world again. I have seen great progress on several of my clients after counseling. Igarza
Opps sorry!!!! forgot to put my name.
I agree that more attention needs to be paid and more money appropriated for problems relating to service related experiences
Davidw reaction blog
I was so glad to read that the Veteran’s mental health bill was made into a law. It is about time that they put more effort into researching PTSD. Soldiers have been coming home with this disorder for a long time and nothing has ever been done to help them. It was always swept under the rug as an adjustment to civilian life. I am happy to see that it is finally been placed under mental health so that the soldiers can get the help they need. I am also glad to see that he has mandated a review of the mental health facilities. There are so many subpar veterans’ facilities that it is a disgrace. These boys deserve better. My husband swears he’ll never go to one because no one ever comes out. It would be nice for them to feel like the medical facilities that are offered to them were safe and helpful. Celena M
We hear so many politicians praise our troops for the freedoms we enjoy and then take so long to pass a bill that would truly honor veterans for their service. As many of you commented "It's about time!" Thank goodness that the Bailey's were willing to share their pain in order to improve opportunities for others. Hopefully we can all learn from their example and take personal experiences and pain to improve health care and services for others even though we might have lost someone dear to us.
Sylvia S.
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