Huizenga, Correa, Walberg Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Mental Health Outcomes, Prevent Veteran Suicide

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA) introduced the Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at improving mental health outcomes for veterans and helping reduce veteran suicide rates by expanding access to evidence-based suicide prevention care. The legislation seeks to increase the number of Community Care Network providers who complete evidence-based suicide prevention training administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs while also creating a publicly available preferred provider list to help veterans identify providers who best meet their needs.

Under current law, providers in local communities outside the VA healthcare system may participate in the Veterans Health Administration Community Care Network without completing VA-administered suicide prevention training. The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act encourages greater participation in that training and improves transparency for veterans seeking care options in their communities. Joining Representatives Huizenga and Correa as original cosponsors are Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI), Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ).

"When our servicemembers come home at the end of their service, our responsibility to them does not end," said Congressman Huizenga. "Too many veterans continue to struggle with invisible wounds after returning home, and they deserve access to the highest quality mental health care available, wherever they receive it. This bipartisan legislation will help connect veterans with providers who have completed evidence-based suicide prevention training and improve transparency for veterans and families seeking care."

"All gave some, and some made the ultimate sacrifice. Our veterans were willing to give their lives to defend American freedom and democracy. It is now our moral duty to provide them with the highest-quality mental health care," said Congressman Correa. "I joined Representative Bill Huizenga in introducing the Veteran Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act because veterans face a high risk of suicide. Not all wounds are visible, and we need to make sure that medical care is available to meet their needs. It is the least we can do to thank veterans for their sacrifice."

"Our nation's veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, yet too many of these brave men and women struggle in silence," said Congressman Walberg. "I am proud to join Representatives Huizenga and Correa on this bipartisan legislation, which will equip providers with the proper training to deliver high-quality mental health care to America's veterans so that we can honor these heroes' service with the care, dignity, and compassion they so rightfully deserve."

"Expanding suicide prevention training for Community Care Network providers connects veterans with better-informed care, said Congressman Mike Lawler. "This also inspires greater confidence in our veterans that their providers are prepared to recognize warning signs and respond with the support they need. Our veterans are more than deserving of access to providers who understand the unique challenges they face after serving our country,"

According to the VA's 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, 6,398 veterans died by suicide in 2023, an average of 17.5 veterans per day. The report also found that 61% of veterans who died by suicide in 2023 had not received VA healthcare services in the year prior to their death.

The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act is supported by organizations including the American Legion Department of Michigan and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

"The Department of Michigan American Legion supports efforts to reduce veteran suicides. The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act is one step in the direction of lowering veteran suicides by providing the proper training to those that provide care for veterans in the community." Tim Poxson, American Legion Department of Michigan