Servicemember Mental Health Support Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2359
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
Introduced: 2023-07-18
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Latest action: action_date: 2023-07-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-07-18
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Servicemember Mental Health Support Act of 2023</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Department of Defense to report on (1) the policies of the Armed Forces for mental health referrals; and (2)&nbsp;the impact of removing requirements for a primary care referral for outpatient mental health care on the readiness of the military, the utilization of outpatient mental health care services by members of the Armed Forces, and suicide prevention.</p>

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2359 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 18, 2023 Mr. Ossoff introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To require a report on military health care referral policies.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Servicemember Mental Health Support Act of 2023 . 2. Report on military mental health care referral policies (a) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report— (1) detailing the mental health care referral policies of the Armed Forces; and (2) the impact of removing primary care referral requirements for outpatient mental health care on— (A) military readiness; (B) the uptake of outpatient mental health care services by members of the Armed Forces; and (C) suicide prevention. (b) Recommendations The report required by subsection (a) shall include recommendations and legislative proposals— (1) to improve resources and access for outpatient mental health care services by members of the Armed Forces; (2) to encourage the uptake of such services by such members; and (3) to maintain military readiness.