Bill Summary
This legislation, entitled the "Comprehensive Mental Health Care for Veterans Act," aims to amend the United States Code to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide free and comprehensive mental health care to former members of the Armed Services. This includes all veterans as defined in section 101(2) and any individual who served in the Armed Forces, regardless of their period of service or type of discharge. The bill also expands the availability of readjustment counseling and related mental health services to include these former members of the Armed Forces. This legislation recognizes the need for mental health care for our veterans and seeks to provide them with the necessary resources and support.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could potentially benefit many former members of the Armed Services by providing them with free and comprehensive mental health care. This could greatly improve their overall well-being and quality of life.
2. The expanded definition of "former member of the Armed Forces" in this legislation could also benefit individuals who may have previously been excluded from receiving mental health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This could include individuals who may have been discharged for reasons related to mental health.
3. The passage of this legislation may also lead to an increase in demand for mental health services within the Department of Veterans Affairs, potentially affecting the availability and accessibility of these services for both veterans and non-veterans.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5027 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5027
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to furnish free and comprehensive mental health care
to former members of the Armed Services, and for other purposes.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 8, 2019
Mr. Suozzi introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs
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A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to furnish free and comprehensive mental health care
to former members of the Armed Services, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FREE AND COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Section 1720I of title 38, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 1720I. Comprehensive mental health care for former members of
the Armed Forces
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall furnish comprehensive mental
health care at no cost to any former member of the Armed Forces.
``(b) Former Members of the Armed Forces.--In this section, the
term `former member of the Armed Forces' includes the following:
``(1) A veteran described in section 101(2) of this title.
``(2) An individual not described in paragraph (1) who--
``(A) served as a member of the Armed Forces,
including the reserve components thereof; and
``(B) was discharged or released from such service
without regard to--
``(i) the period of active duty service of
the individual; or
``(ii) the character of discharge or
release of the individual.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking the
item relating to section 1720I and inserting the following:
``1720I. Comprehensive mental health care for former members of the
Armed Forces.''.
(c) Expansion of Readjustment Counseling and Related Mental Health
Services.--Section 1712A(a)(1)(C) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(vi) Any former member of the Armed Forces described in
section 1720I(b) of this title.''.
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