Kiggans, Miller-Meeks, Bergman Aim to Increase Access to Mental Health Care forVeterans

WASHINGTON, DC: Last week, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), and Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01) introduced the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act. The bill would reauthorize the Fox Grant Program for an additional three years to provide community-based mental health organizations with federal funding to increase access to mental health care, support, and suicide prevention services for veterans. 

“As the daughter of a veteran, the wife of a veteran, a mother to future veterans, and a veteran myself, I know how important it is forservicemembers to have access to mental health resources when they transition to civilian life,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “Tragically, close to 17 veterans take their own lives every day. That’s why I worked with Congresswoman Miller-Meeks to introduce the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act, to ensure mental health organizations have the resources necessary to care for veterans who need it most. We have the responsibility to provide those who fought for our freedoms with the support they deserve. I urge our colleagues to support our legislation so we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless American heroes.”

“As a 24-year veteran, I have seen the challenges that many of my fellow servicemembers and veterans face, both in uniform and as they adjust to life back in their communities,” said Congresswoman Miller-Meeks. “It is a sad realization that an average 17 veterans lose their lives to suicide every day.  One death alone from suicide is one too many. It is imperative that we continue to work on solutions such as the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program to give veterans and their family members the support that they so desperately need and deserve.”

“As we enter National Suicide Awareness month for September, I’m proud to introduce this potentially life-saving bill,” said Congressman Bergman. “Our Veterans who suffer from the invisible wounds of their service to our Nation should never have to suffer alone. I’ll continue to do everything within my ability to stop Veteran suicide and this legislation is one key step in that direction.”

“House Republicans did right by veterans and their families and fought hard to create the Fox Grant Program through the Commander John Scott Hannon Act to expand VA’s mental health reach. To date, this grant program has helped hundreds of veterans get the mental health support that works for them, and we should without question continue it,” said House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost. “I want to thank my friend and colleague, Dr. Miller-Meeks, for her leadership on the issues that matter most to our fellow veterans, including improving mental health care access. The No Wrong Door Act would answer that challenge head-on and continue our vitally important work to end veteran suicide.”

The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (Fox Grant Program) was authorized by the passage of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-171). The purpose of the Fox Grant Program is to provide community-based mental health organizations grant funding to increase access to mental health care, support, and suicide prevention services for veterans in the communities where they live. 

In return, through the Fox Grant Program, the reach of VA’s mental health services has been expanded and veterans are connected with the care and treatment — whether traditional or nontraditional — that meets their needs. As of September 2023, hundreds of grantees have completed over 20,000 outreach contacts to veterans. However, under current law, this pilot program will expire at the end of the FY25. 

Specifically, the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act would:

• Reauthorize the Grant Program for an additional 3 years into FY2028 and make improvements to enhance the Fox Grant Program;
• Reduce confusion by clarifying specifically what the grant funds may be used for and streamlining the admission for veterans;
• Require VAMCs, to coordinate with grantees through quarterly briefings to educate VA facility staff and improve outcomes forveteran patients;
• Move oversight of the Fox Grant Program from the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention into the Office of Clinical Services; and
• Make veterans eligible for community-based emergency mental health care if VA is unable to provide mental health care within 72 hours of first contact from the organization. 

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