Veterans suicide-prevention bill with Tillis provisions signed into law

Provisions introduced by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) that expand U.S. military veterans’ access to mental health services have been signed into law by the president as part of larger, bipartisan legislation to update federal suicide prevention efforts for America’s veterans.

“With this bipartisan legislation being signed into law, we are taking another step forward to combating veteran suicides and reducing the number of veterans who take their own lives,” Sen. Tillis. “I want to thank President Trump for signing this legislation into law so we can continue to fulfill our promise to veterans.” 

The Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, S. 785, introduced in March 2019 by U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jon Tester (D-MT), became law on Oct. 17 with the president’s signature. The comprehensive measure makes updates related to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) transition assistance, mental healthcare, care for women veterans, and telehealth care, according to the congressional record bill summary.

S. 785 included several provisions offered by Sen. Tillis, such as authorizing a community grant program through the VA to enhance community outreach to help identify isolated veterans who may be in need of assistance and/or services, according to a summary provided by the senator’s office.

Other provisions from Sen. Tillis included in S. 785 are to expand eligibility for VA mental health services to all veterans, including those with Other Than Honorable discharges if they are referred to the VA through an organization in the grant program, and a requirement that the VA provide a detailed plan to nationally implement Suicide Assessment and Follow-up Engagement: Veteran Emergency Treatment (SAFE VET), according to the summary. 

SAFE VET, a relatively new clinical intervention, is associated with 45 percent fewer suicidal behaviors in the six-month period following emergency department care and more than doubles the odds of a veteran engaging in outpatient behavioral healthcare, according to Sen. Tillis’ office. 

The U.S. Senate on Aug. 5 approved S. 785 with amendments and the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 23 gave the bill approval before presenting it to President Trump for his signature on Oct. 6.