Hoeven: Senate Passes Bill to Improve Mental Health Care, Suicide Prevention Services for Veterans

Press Release

Senator John Hoeven today announced the U.S. Senate has passed the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act, legislation he co-sponsored that increases access to mental health services and improves the quality of care provided through mental health programs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The legislation, which passed the House of Representatives in January, passed the Senate today by a vote of 99 to 0 and now goes to the President to be signed into law.

"In the course of their dedicated service, our military members sacrifice in many ways," said Hoeven. "That includes injuries both seen and unseen, and we owe our veterans the best possible care in treating those wounds. This legislation will not only improve suicide prevention at the VA and help our veterans access mental health care, but it will also ensure the quality of that care. Now, we will continue working to improve all services offered by the VA and ensure our veterans can get the support they need from local providers when the VA and its outpatient clinics cannot provide the services."

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