RSDSA :: advocacy

Senator Akaka, Chairman of the Veterans Committee, earlier introduced S. 2160 that would require the Veterans Administration (VA) to establish a comprehensive pain management program for Veterans. This legislation has now been revised and supported by Senator Burr, Ranking Minority Member of the Veterans Committee. The content of the Veterans Pain Policy Act has now been incorporated into S. 2162, as amended. It is expected that the combined legislation will be considered by the full Senate later this week.

Veterans Mental Health Improvements Act of 2008

Title I: Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Care - (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure the provision of the following treatment and services, as needed, to each veteran enrolled in the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and in need of treatment or services for a substance abuse disorder: (1) short-term motivational counseling; (2) intensive outpatient or residential care; (3) relapse prevention; (4) ongoing aftercare and outpatient counseling; (5) opiate substitution therapy; (6) pharmacological treatments to reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol; and (7) detoxification and stabilization. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees concerning the provision of such care at each VA medical facility.

(Sec. 103) Requires the Secretary to ensure that treatment for a substance abuse disorder and a comorbid mental health disorder is provided concurrently through separate services for each disorder or by a team of experienced clinicians.

(Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to establish at least six national centers of excellence on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse disorders for the provision of comprehensive inpatient or residential treatment and recovery services for veterans diagnosed with both PTSD and a substance abuse disorder.

(Sec. 105) Requires the Secretary to conduct a: (1) review of all residential mental health care facilities of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA); and (2) follow-up review, within two years after the first review, to evaluate any improvements made or problems remaining with respect to such facilities. Requires a report from the Secretary to the veterans' committees after the initial review.

(Sec. 106) Enacts this title in tribute to Justin Bailey, who, after returning to the United States from service in Operation Iraqi Freedom, died in a VA domiciliary facility while receiving care for PTSD and a substance abuse disorder.

Title II: Mental Health Accessibility Enhancements - (Sec. 201) Directs the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and, in particular, veterans who served in such operations as a member of the National Guard or reserves, with: (1) peer outreach; (2) peer support provided by licensed providers or veterans with personal experience with mental illness; and (3) readjustment counseling and other mental health services. Authorizes the provision of such services through community mental health centers or the Indian Health Service with respect to veterans residing in rural areas or otherwise having insufficient access to such services through the VA. Requires: (1) the Secretary to carry out a program of appropriate training for veterans and clinicians providing such services; (2) each community mental health center or Indian Health Service facility providing such services to report annually to the Secretary; and (3) the Secretary to design and implement a strategy for evaluating the pilot program. Authorizes appropriations.

Title III: Research - (Sec. 301) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of research into comorbid PTSD and substance abuse disorder through the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 302) Amends the Veterans' Health Care Act of 1984 to extend through 2012 (currently, 2008) the reporting requirement for the Special Committee on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Title IV: Assistance For Families of Veterans - (Sec. 401) Includes marriage and family counseling within authorized VA care for veterans.

(Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary to carry out, through a non-VA entity, a three-year pilot program (with authorized one-year extensions) to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing readjustment and transition assistance to veterans and their families in cooperation with ten VA Vet Centers. Requires a report from the Secretary to the veterans' committees at the conclusion of the pilot program. Authorizes appropriations.