Cole’s bipartisan bill bolsters VA mental health care for Native Americans

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) recently introduced a bipartisan bill that aims to ensure the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides culturally appropriate mental health care to Native American military veterans. 

“I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Mental Health Act, which would provide for trained minority coordinators in VA facilities and ensure our Native veterans receive the care and attention as it is needed,” said Rep. Cole, who is a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and co-chair of the congressional Native American Caucus.

Rep. Cole on Aug. 18 signed on as an original cosponsor of the American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Mental Health Act of 2020, H.R. 8068, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) to direct the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make certain improvements relating to mental health and suicide prevention outreach to minority veterans and American Indian and Alaska Native veterans, according to the congressional record bill summary. 

“Throughout our history, I am proud that Native Americans have consistently enlisted in the United States military at a higher rate than any other racial or ethnic group,” Rep. Cole said. “Like all veterans, Native Americans who have served in uniform deserve the best care and service the VA can provide. Therefore, it is critically important that VA medical personnel are equipped to recognize, understand and address their unique needs.”

If enacted, H.R. 8068 would mandate that every VA medical facility have a minority veteran coordinator trained in the delivery of culturally competent mental health care for Native veterans, who would be required to work with their facility’s suicide prevention coordinator to contact local tribal leadership, provide the VA medical facility director with an annual written plan for specific outreach to Native veterans, and document the mental health care provided, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Cole’s office.

H.R. 8068 is supported by the American Psychiatric Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Minority Veterans of America, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, among others.