Ernst Introduces First Bill to Prioritize Veterans' Mental Health Care

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced her first piece of legislation, the Prioritizing Veterans' Access to Mental Health Care Act. This important legislation puts veterans' mental health care first and provides a back-stop to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health care treatment, and prioritizes incentives to hire more mental health care professionals at the VA.

"One veteran's life lost to suicide is too many. We must ensure our returning men and women, who served so selflessly in defense of our freedoms, have access to the quality mental health care they rightfully deserve," said Senator Ernst. "This legislation works to ensure the invisible wounds of war do not go unnoticed. There is absolutely no excuse for delays in mental health care treatment when a veteran is suffering. We must live up to the promises we have made to our veterans."

According to the VA, there are approximately 22 veteran suicides each day, while the average wait time for a mental health appointment at the VA is 36 days. This legislation provides an option for our veterans to receive mental health treatment, until they can receive comprehensive treatment at the VA.

"There is no acceptable VA wait time for mental health care treatment for our veterans," Ernst continued. "The limits to how much suffering a veteran can endure simply cannot be accurately measured by the VA or any medical professional."

This authorization for mental health care treatment provides a back-stop, other than the emergency room, for our veterans. The emergency room should not be considered a back-stop for delayed mental health care treatment at the VA, as veterans who seek mental health treatment at emergency rooms often do so when they have reached the limits of their suffering and have nowhere else to turn.

Senator Ernst referenced the bill in her maiden speech on the Senate floor earlier today. Learn more here.

About the Prioritizing Veterans' Access to Mental Health Care Act:

Amends the Veterans' Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to allow a veteran instant authorization of non-VA care if the veteran provides an electronic or hard-copy statement in writing that they are not receiving adequate or timely mental health care at the VA.
Eliminates the 40-mile and VA wait-time triggers under the Choice Act for mental health care.
Prioritizes incentives for the hiring of mental health care professionals at VA.
Uses Choice Act funds to pay for the bill.
Provides the VA 90 days to enact the program.

Source