Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) signed on as a cosponsor of a bipartisan bill that would launch a formal review into the effectiveness of the federal government’s mental health programs for America’s military veterans and transitioning service members.
The Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act, H.R. 7735, which U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) sponsored on Feb. 26, aims to address long-standing accessibility issues and eliminate gaps in care for veterans and transitioning service members.
“The transition from military service to civilian life can be one of the most difficult chapters for our service members and it is crucial we not only provide support for the physical toll of service, but the mental toll as well,” said Rep. Hinson said on Monday. “I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to cut red tape and improve access to mental health care for veterans. I’ll continue working across the aisle to ensure our veterans receive the full scope of care they have earned.”
Rep. Hinson, who became a cosponsor of H.R. 7735 on March 3, says the measure would require the U.S. Departments of Defense-Veterans Affairs Joint Executive Committee (JEC) to review how well their programs help service members access mental health care as they transition to civilian life.
The review would identify gaps in care and recommend improvements in a report to Congress, and require the government to update its health assessment for separating service members every two years to ensure policymakers have timely and accurate data on veterans’ mental health needs.
H.R. 7735, which is also cosponsored by members including U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), is under consideration by the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.