Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act

Bill: 114-hr-203
Sponsor: Rep. Walz, Timothy J. [D-MN-1]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Allied health services
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Drug therapy
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health promotion and preventive care
Higher education
Medical education
Mental health
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Neurological disorders
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act or the Clay Hunt SAV Act

 
 Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to arrange for an independent third party evaluation, to be conducted by September 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, of the VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs.
 
 Directs the Secretary to survey the VA's websites and information resources to publish a website that serves as a centralized source to provide veterans with information regarding the VA's mental health care services.
 
 Requires the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to repay the education loans relating to psychiatric medicine that are incurred by individuals who:
 
 
are eligible to practice psychiatric medicine in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or are enrolled in the final year of a residency program leading to a specialty qualification in psychiatric medicine;
 
demonstrate a commitment to a long-term career as a psychiatrist in the VHA; and
 
agree to a period of two or more years of obligated service with the VHA in the field of psychiatric medicine. 
 
 
Limits the loan repayment to no more than $30,000 for each year an individual performs such obligated service. 
 
 Directs the Secretary to establish a three-year pilot program at not less than five Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) to assist veterans transitioning from active duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental health services. Requires the pilot program at each VISN to include: (1) a community oriented veteran peer support network carried out in partnership with an entity that has experience in peer support programs, and (2) a community outreach team for each medical center in such VISN. 

Authorizes the Secretary to collaborate with nonprofit mental health organizations to prevent suicide among veterans. Requires the Secretary and any such organization to exchange training sessions and best practices.
 
Directs the Secretary to select a VA Director of Suicide Prevention Coordination to undertake any collaboration with nonprofit mental health organizations.
 
Extends for one year combat veterans' eligibility for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for illnesses that have not been medically proven to be attributable to their service, provided they: (1) were discharged or released from active duty between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2011, and (2) did not enroll to receive such care during the five-year period of eligibility following their discharge or release.
 

action_date: 2015-01-12
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act or the Clay Hunt SAV Act

 
 (Sec. 2) Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) arrange for an independent third party evaluation, to be conducted by September 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, of the VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs; and (2) submit a report to Congress, by December 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, containing the most recent evaluations not yet submitted to Congress and any recommendations the Secretary considers appropriate.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit interim reports to Congress by September 30, 2016, and September 30, 2017, on the VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs.
 
 (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to survey the VA's websites and information resources to publish a website that serves as a centralized source to provide veterans with information, updated at least once every 90 days, regarding the VA's mental health care services.
 
 (Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to repay the education loans relating to psychiatric medicine that are incurred by individuals who:
 
 
are eligible to practice psychiatric medicine in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or are enrolled in the final year of a residency program leading to a specialty qualification in psychiatric medicine;
 
demonstrate a commitment to a long-term career as a psychiatrist in the VHA; and
 
agree to a period of two or more years of obligated service with the VHA in the field of psychiatric medicine, as determined by the Secretary. 
 
 
Limits the loan repayment to no more than $30,000 for each year an individual performs such obligated service, as determined by the Secretary.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.
 
 (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to establish a three-year pilot program at not less than five Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) to assist veterans transitioning from active duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental health services. Requires the pilot program at each VISN to include: (1) a community oriented veteran peer support network carried out in partnership with an entity that has experience in peer support programs, and (2) a community outreach team for each medical center in such VISN.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to collaborate with nonprofit mental health organizations to prevent suicide among veterans. Requires the Secretary and any such organization to exchange training sessions and best practices.
 
Directs the Secretary to select a VA Director of Suicide Prevention Coordination to undertake any collaboration with nonprofit mental health organizations.
 
(Sec. 7) Extends for one year combat veterans' eligibility for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for illnesses that have not been medically proven to be attributable to their service, provided they: (1) were discharged or released from active duty between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2011, and (2) did not enroll to receive such care during the five-year period of eligibility following their discharge.
 
(Sec. 8) Prohibits the authorization of any additional appropriations to carry out this Act's provisions.
action_date: 2015-01-21
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)
 

Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act or the Clay Hunt SAV Act

 
 (Sec. 2) Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) arrange for an independent third party evaluation, to be conducted by September 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, of the VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs; and (2) submit a report to Congress, by December 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, containing the most recent evaluations not yet submitted to Congress and any recommendations the Secretary considers appropriate.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit interim reports to Congress by September 30, 2016, and September 30, 2017, on the VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs.
 
 (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to survey the VA's websites and information resources to publish a website that serves as a centralized source to provide veterans with information, updated at least once every 90 days, regarding the VA's mental health care services.
 
 (Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to repay the education loans relating to psychiatric medicine that are incurred by individuals who:
 
 
are eligible to practice psychiatric medicine in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or are enrolled in the final year of a residency program leading to a specialty qualification in psychiatric medicine;
 
demonstrate a commitment to a long-term career as a psychiatrist in the VHA; and
 
agree to a period of two or more years of obligated service with the VHA in the field of psychiatric medicine, as determined by the Secretary. 
 
 
Limits the loan repayment to no more than $30,000 for each year an individual performs such obligated service, as determined by the Secretary.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.
 
 (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to establish a three-year pilot program at not less than five Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) to assist veterans transitioning from active duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental health services. Requires the pilot program at each VISN to include: (1) a community oriented veteran peer support network carried out in partnership with an entity that has experience in peer support programs, and (2) a community outreach team for each medical center in such VISN.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to collaborate with nonprofit mental health organizations to prevent suicide among veterans. Requires the Secretary and any such organization to exchange training sessions and best practices.
 
Directs the Secretary to select a VA Director of Suicide Prevention Coordination to undertake any collaboration with nonprofit mental health organizations.
 
(Sec. 7) Extends for one year combat veterans' eligibility for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for illnesses that have not been medically proven to be attributable to their service, provided they: (1) were discharged or released from active duty between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2011, and (2) did not enroll to receive such care during the five-year period of eligibility following their discharge.
 
(Sec. 8) Prohibits the authorization of any additional appropriations to carry out this Act's provisions.
action_date: 2015-02-03
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)
 

Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act or the Clay Hunt SAV Act

 
 (Sec. 2) Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) arrange for an independent third party evaluation, to be conducted by September 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, of the VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs; and (2) submit a report to Congress, by December 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, containing the most recent evaluations not yet submitted to Congress and any recommendations the Secretary considers appropriate.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit interim reports to Congress by September 30, 2016, and September 30, 2017, on the VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs.
 
 (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to survey the VA's websites and information resources to publish a website that serves as a centralized source to provide veterans with information, updated at least once every 90 days, regarding the VA's mental health care services.
 
 (Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to repay the education loans relating to psychiatric medicine that are incurred by individuals who:
 
 
are eligible to practice psychiatric medicine in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or are enrolled in the final year of a residency program leading to a specialty qualification in psychiatric medicine;
 
demonstrate a commitment to a long-term career as a psychiatrist in the VHA; and
 
agree to a period of two or more years of obligated service with the VHA in the field of psychiatric medicine, as determined by the Secretary. 
 
 
Limits the loan repayment to no more than $30,000 for each year an individual performs such obligated service, as determined by the Secretary.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.
 
 (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to establish a three-year pilot program at not less than five Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) to assist veterans transitioning from active duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental health services. Requires the pilot program at each VISN to include: (1) a community oriented veteran peer support network carried out in partnership with an entity that has experience in peer support programs, and (2) a community outreach team for each medical center in such VISN.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to collaborate with nonprofit mental health organizations to prevent suicide among veterans. Requires the Secretary and any such organization to exchange training sessions and best practices.
 
Directs the Secretary to select a VA Director of Suicide Prevention Coordination to undertake any collaboration with nonprofit mental health organizations.
 
(Sec. 7) Extends for one year combat veterans' eligibility for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for illnesses that have not been medically proven to be attributable to their service, provided they: (1) were discharged or released from active duty between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2011, and (2) did not enroll to receive such care during the five-year period of eligibility following their discharge.
 
(Sec. 8) Prohibits the authorization of any additional appropriations to carry out this Act's provisions.
action_date: 2015-02-12
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)
 

Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act or the Clay Hunt SAV Act

 
 (Sec. 2) Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) arrange for an independent third party evaluation, to be conducted by September 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, of the VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs; and (2) submit a report to Congress, by December 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, containing the most recent evaluations not yet submitted to Congress and any recommendations the Secretary considers appropriate.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit interim reports to Congress by September 30, 2016, and September 30, 2017, on the VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs.
 
 (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to survey the VA's websites and information resources to publish a website that serves as a centralized source to provide veterans with information, updated at least once every 90 days, regarding the VA's mental health care services.
 
 (Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to repay the education loans relating to psychiatric medicine that are incurred by individuals who:
 
 
are eligible to practice psychiatric medicine in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or are enrolled in the final year of a residency program leading to a specialty qualification in psychiatric medicine;
 
demonstrate a commitment to a long-term career as a psychiatrist in the VHA; and
 
agree to a period of two or more years of obligated service with the VHA in the field of psychiatric medicine, as determined by the Secretary. 
 
 
Limits the loan repayment to no more than $30,000 for each year an individual performs such obligated service, as determined by the Secretary.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.
 
 (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to establish a three-year pilot program at not less than five Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) to assist veterans transitioning from active duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental health services. Requires the pilot program at each VISN to include: (1) a community oriented veteran peer support network carried out in partnership with an entity that has experience in peer support programs, and (2) a community outreach team for each medical center in such VISN.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to collaborate with nonprofit mental health organizations to prevent suicide among veterans. Requires the Secretary and any such organization to exchange training sessions and best practices.
 
Directs the Secretary to select a VA Director of Suicide Prevention Coordination to undertake any collaboration with nonprofit mental health organizations.
 
(Sec. 7) Extends for one year combat veterans' eligibility for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for illnesses that have not been medically proven to be attributable to their service, provided they: (1) were discharged or released from active duty between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2011, and (2) did not enroll to receive such care during the five-year period of eligibility following their discharge.
 
(Sec. 8) Prohibits the authorization of any additional appropriations to carry out this Act's provisions.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-23
text: By Senator Isakson from Committee on Veterans' Affairs filed written report. Report No. 114-34.
action_date: 2015-04-23
text: By Senator Isakson from Committee on Veterans' Affairs filed written report. Report No. 114-34.
action_date: 2015-02-12
text: Became Public Law No: 114-2.
action_date: 2015-02-12
text: Became Public Law No: 114-2.
action_date: 2015-02-12
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2015-02-12
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2015-02-11
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2015-02-11
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2015-02-03
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2015-02-03
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 99 - 0. Record Vote Number: 50.
action_date: 2015-02-03
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 99 - 0. Record Vote Number: 50.
action_date: 2015-02-03
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S716-720)
action_date: 2015-01-21
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 6.
action_date: 2015-01-21
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Isakson without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2015-01-21
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Isakson without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2015-01-21
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-12
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 403 - 0 (Roll no. 17). (text: CR H196-198)
action_date: 2015-01-12
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-01-12
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 403 - 0 (Roll no. 17).(text: CR H196-198)
action_date: 2015-01-12
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H204-205)
action_date: 2015-01-12
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2015-01-12
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 203.
action_date: 2015-01-12
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H196-201)
action_date: 2015-01-12
text: Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 114-2