Stivers’ bipartisan veterans suicide-prevention bill signed into law

The VA Emergency Department Safety Planning Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH), recently became law with the president’s signature as part of a larger bill to reform mental health care services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

Rep. Stivers on Aug. 25 cosponsored H.R. 8107 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI) to require the VA to report on its efforts to implement a suicide prevention program for veterans presenting to an emergency department or urgent care center of the Veterans Health Administration who are assessed to be at risk for suicide and are safe to be discharged home, according to the congressional record bill summary.

H.R. 8107 became law on Oct. 17 as part of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, S. 785, a comprehensive mental health care reform bill to support U.S. military veterans.  

“We know that upwards of 30 percent of veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress, depending on the conflict era, which is why we need commonsense policies like the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act,” Rep. Stivers said. “Thanks to Representative Levin, and all who worked on the provisions included in this legislation, including ensuring at-risk veterans receive the follow-ups and outpatient mental health care they need.”

The larger bill, S. 785, will provide veterans more access to mental health care by increasing telehealth services and encourages collaboration among the VA and community organizations to more quickly identify veterans at-risk of suicide so that professionals can intervene with preventative services earlier, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Stivers’ office. The legislation also will implement a pilot program to provide veterans access to free health programs, including animal therapy, sports and recreation therapy, and art therapy.