Blackburn Introduces Legislation to Expand Access to Mental Health Care for Veterans Through Partnerships with Community Providers

"Far too many of our nation's heroes have been lost to suicide, and we need to prevent future tragedies by ensuring veterans have access to timely mental health care," said Senator Blackburn. "The RECOVER Act would promote public-private partnerships between the VA and community-based mental health care providers and ensure veterans get the quality mental health support they've earned."

U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Ill.) introduced companion legislation in the House.

BACKGROUND

• U.S. military veterans and their families face a growing crisis in access to timely and appropriate mental health care.

• In 2021, an average of 17.5 veterans died by suicide each day. In 2020, the veteran suicide rate was 57% higher than that of non-veteran adults. At the same time, demand for mental health services continues to strain available resources, with many VA facilities exceeding the Department's 20-day wait time standard for mental health appointments.

• Community-based organizations frequently work alongside the VA to fill gaps in mental health care, but many of these partnerships lack the resources necessary to deliver clinical care at scale. Despite increased federal investment in suicide prevention, access to timely care remains inconsistent for many veterans.

RECOVER ACT

• Specifically, the RECOVER Act would establish a three-year pilot program at the VA and:

• Authorize $20 million annually for three years to provide grants to nonprofit organizations operating outpatient mental health facilities that serve veterans.
• Allow eligible facilities to receive grants of up to $1.5 million per year to expand or operate mental health services for veterans.
• Require participating clinics to ensure clinicians receive training in mental health care tailored to veterans.
• Ensure that mental health care provided through the program is free of charge to veterans.
• Encourage providers to connect veterans with VA health care enrollment and services.
• Promote public-private partnerships between the VA and community-based mental health providers to supplement existing VA capacity.
• Require grants to be distributed across both rural and urban areas, prioritizing medically underserved communities and areas with high veteran suicide risk.
• Require participating clinics to collect outcomes data and report results to ensure accountability and measure effectiveness.
• Direct the VA to evaluate the pilot program and report to Congress on improvements in access to care and mental health outcomes.

ENDORSEMENTS

This legislation is supported by the Wounded Warrior Project, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Mission Roll Call, Cohen Veterans Network, Jewish War Veterans, Berry Law, Easterseals Serving DC/MD/VA, and Centerstone.

"The Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) in support of H.R. 2283, the RECOVER Act…CVN helps alleviate these pressures by providing barrier-free, high-quality outpatient treatment in military community settings, alongside the VA…H.R. 2283, the RECOVER Act, represents a vital step forward in this effort. This legislation would establish a pilot grant program to support non-profit clinics like CVN in delivering culturally competent, evidence-based mental health care without cost being a barrier to the veteran," said Cohen Veterans Network.

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Click here for bill text.