Medical Evaluation Parity for Servicemembers
Floor Speech
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, yesterday afternoon U.S. Senators Rob Portman and Jay Rockefeller introduced the Medical Evaluation Parity for Serv ice mem bers, or MEPS, Act, companion legislation to the bill that I introduced with the Congressman from Ohio, Mr. Tim Ryan, on March 27 of this year.
Most are aware that incoming soldiers must pass a physical and medical evaluation, which is the case, but so many are shocked that there is no similar evaluation for mental health competency.
Madam Speaker, according to recent studies, nearly half of all soldiers who tried suicide first attempted it before enlisting. A large number of suicides in the military were individuals who had never been deployed in a combat role.
These studies give us insight into the mental well-being of our military, but what they also show is that we must know more.
The bipartisan MEPS Act would require a preliminary mental health assessment for military recruits prior to joining the service, which will dramatically improve the way the military identifies and assesses mental health issues.
The bill has no budget impact and has support from a large number of veterans groups. I thank my Senate colleagues for introducing this bill and encourage my colleagues in the House to join the support.
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