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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 23, 2024 02:45 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Mental Health Care for Veterans |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to provide mental health care services to veterans who have exhausted their federal mental health benefits. Since the September 11th terrorist attacks, over 120,000 veterans have lost their lives by suicide. In 2020, the suicide rate among US veterans was 31.7 per 100,000 veterans. Further, suicide was the second leading cause of death for veterans younger than 45 years. The United States Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides mental health care services as long as they are clinically warranted. However, once a veteran is deemed to be in a stable condition, the VHA can limit the annual mental health sessions received by a veteran. This limitation severely affects our veterans at a time when they need support. My legislation will provide coverage for veterans in such situations, requiring the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA) to reimburse mental health care providers for up to 5 additional mental health sessions. Subject to available appropriations, the DMVA may reimburse more than 5 sessions if a provider and DMVA determine additional sessions are necessary. Veterans will be required to attest to providers that they have exhausted their federal benefits or are under an undue burden upon seeking services. This legislation will be similar to legislation recently passed in Colorado. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. |