Brindisi Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Mental Health Care for National Guard and Reservists

Press Release

Congressman Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) today led a bipartisan group of members to help address the high rate of suicide among members of the National Guard and the Reserve. Brindisi, along with Reps. John Katko (NY-24), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), and Mark Meadows (NC-11), introduced the Care and Readiness Enhancement (CARE) for Reservists Act to expand access to critical mental health services.

Because they often don't live near military installations, many members of the National Guard and Reserves struggle to access mental health resources they need. As a result, the rate of suicide for National Guard members and Reservists is consistently higher than the rate for civilians and active duty servicemembers.

"Veteran suicide is a public health crisis, and it is our shared responsibility as Americans to fix the holes in the system and finally improve mental health resources," said Brindisi. "This bipartisan solution will expand eligibility for VA mental health services to National Guard members and Reservists to help ensure all men and women who have worn our country's uniform have access to the care they need."

The CARE for Reservists Act works to provide National Guard members and Reservists with consistent access to quality mental health services, regardless of their deployment status.

Currently, Guards and Reservists are given annual health assessments, including a mental health assessment, to help identify issues that may affect their ability to deploy in the future. However, they typically must pursue any follow-up care at their own expense.

The bipartisan legislation would allow the Department of Defense to fund behavioral or mental health care for reservists, regardless of whether they are within the 180 day pre-deployment window, or have never deployed. The bill also directs VA to furnish mental health services for members of the National Guard and Reserves, and allows them to access veteran centers for mental health screening and counseling, employment assessments, education training and other services to help them successfully transition to civilian life.

"Americans across the country and from all backgrounds are experiencing a lack of access to mental healthcare services. Our brave veterans are no exception," said Katko. "It is critical Congress works to expand veterans' access to comprehensive mental healthcare and treatment. This legislation will close the long-standing gap in mental healthcare for our nation's National Guardsmen and Reservists and provide these individuals with the medical care they deserve."

"I am proud to join with Reps. Brindisi, Katko, and Meadows to introduce this legislation addressing the national epidemic of suicide among our nation's veterans and servicemembers," said Reschenthaler. "This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will provide our National Guardsman and Reservists with access to mental health treatment through VA facilities. As a former Navy JAG and the co-chairman of the Military Mental Health Taskforce, I am committed to finding solutions so those who defend our freedoms receive the treatment they need."

"Ensuring that our men and women in uniform have access to adequate and effective healthcare resources should be one of our highest priorities in Congress," said Meadows. "Expanding mental healthcare access to members of the National Guard and Reserves would mark a significant step in that mission and go a long way in reducing devastatingly high suicide rates amongst reservists men and women. The CARE for Reservists Act represents the right way forward. I'm honored to be a part of this bipartisan effort and am grateful for the work of my colleagues in seeing it through."

The CARE for Reservists Act has support from veterans advocacy organizations including the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) and Enlisted Association of the National Guard.

"Suicides across the military have been unacceptably high for too long, including in the National Guard and Reserve" said retired Brig. Gen. J. Roy Robinson, President of the National Guard Association of the United States. "This legislation would provide Reserve Component servicemembers and their families access to Vets Centers counseling services. It would also authorize the Department of Defense to fund mental and behavioral healthcare for Guardsmen and Reservists regardless of whether they are within their deployment window. We support this legislation as it continues to address the mental health and behavioral needs of our National Guardsmen and Reservists."

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced the Senate companion bill (S.711).