Veteran Suicide Prevention Act
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This bill would require the VA to review and publicly report on suicides among veterans who received VA care in the last five years.
What it does
This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a comprehensive review of suicides among covered veterans that occurred in the five years prior to the law's enactment. For the purposes of this review, covered veterans are defined as those who received VA hospital care or medical services within the five-year period before their death. The VA would be required to report the findings of this review and make the results available to the public.
Who is affected
This bill primarily affects the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which is required to conduct and publish a comprehensive review of certain veteran suicides. The review focuses on "covered veterans," defined as those who died by suicide within the five years prior to the bill's enactment and who had received VA hospital care or medical services during the five-year period preceding their death.
Key provisions
- Review of veteran suicides. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must conduct a comprehensive review of all covered veterans who died by suicide during the five-year period prior to the bill's enactment.
- Definition of covered veterans. The review applies to veterans who received hospital care or medical services from the VA at any point during the five years preceding their death.
- Public reporting requirements. The VA is required to issue a report detailing the results of the suicide review and ensure the findings are available to the public.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
The bill's requirements are triggered upon enactment, as the Department of Veterans Affairs must review veteran suicides occurring within the five-year period immediately preceding the date the bill becomes law.
Relationship to existing law
The bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a retrospective review of suicide deaths among veterans who utilized existing VA hospital care or medical services within the five years prior to their death.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to address veteran suicide by requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct and publicly report on a comprehensive review of suicides among veterans who received department medical care or services in the five years prior to their deaths.