No Wrong Door for Veterans Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1969) to amend and reauthorize the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1969
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``No Wrong Door for Veterans Act''. SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF STAFF SERGEANT PARKER GORDON FOX SUICIDE PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Duration.--Section 201 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-171; 38 U.S.C. 1720F note) is amended, in subsection (j), by striking ``the date that is three years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this section'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.
(b) Emergent Suicide Care.--Such section is further amended--
(1) in subsection (m)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4);
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (3):
``(3) Emergent suicide care.--In the case of an eligible individual who receives suicide prevention services provided or coordinated by an eligible entity in receipt of a grant under this section, the eligible entity shall notify--
``(A) the eligible individual that the individual may be eligible for emergent suicide care under section 1720J of title 38, United States Code; and
``(B) the Secretary, if an eligible individual notified under subparagraph (A) elects to receive such emergent suicide care.''; and
(C) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by striking ``(1) or (2)'' and inserting ``(1), (2), or (3)''; and
(2) in subsection (n)--
(A) by inserting ``(1) In general.--'' before ``When'' and adjusting the margins accordingly; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Time frame.--If the Secretary does not provide services under paragraph (1) to an eligible individual during the 72-hour period following a referral under subsection (m), such eligible individual shall be treated as eligible for emergent suicide care under section 1720J of title 38, United States Code.''.
(c) Reauthorization.--Such section is further amended, in subsection (p)--
(1) by striking ``section a total of $174,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2025.'' and inserting ``section-- ''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(1) a total of $174,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2025; and
``(2) $52,500,000 for fiscal year 2026.''.
(d) Requirements for Eligible Entities.--Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(3)--
(1) by inserting ``an entity that has continuously provided mental health care or support services in the United States during the two-year period before the date on which the entity applies for a grant under this section and that is'' after ``means'';
(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or foundation'' and inserting ``, foundation, or health care provider''; and
(3) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``A'' and inserting ``a''.
(e) Technical Correction to Definitions.--Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(5), by striking ``Medical services'' and inserting ``The term `emergency treatment' means medical services''.
(f) Required Use of Certain Screening Protocol.--Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(11)(A)(ii), by inserting after ``risk'' the following: ``, which in the case of a grant made on or after the date of the enactment of the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act, shall be the Columbia Protocol (also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale)''. SEC. 3. INCLUSION OF ADAPTIVE PROSTHESES AND TERMINAL DEVICES FOR SPORTS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN MEDICAL SERVICES FURNISHED TO ELIGIBLE VETERANS BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 1701 of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in paragraph (6)(F)(i), by inserting ``(including adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and other recreational activities)'' after ``artificial limbs''. SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LIMITS ON PAYMENTS OF PENSION.
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``November 30, 2031'' and inserting ``January 30, 2033''.
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Mr. BOST. 1969, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1969, as amended. This bill was introduced by the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks), my friend and colleague.
The bill is a powerful reminder that mental health and physical health go hand in hand. This bill extends authorization for the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program.
House Republicans created the Fox grant program to expand the reach of VA's mental health services through community-based organizations where veterans and their families live. The organizations that have qualified for the Fox grant program provide traditional and nontraditional mental health and therapy support services to veterans in need. This ensures VA services are reaching everyone who needs them. We should, without question, continue the Fox grant program.
This bill also recognizes that being in the military is a physical task. If our country wants to make veterans whole after their service, it only makes sense that VA should provide the means for physical activity.
Representative Miller-Meeks' bill would make adaptive prosthetics a necessary medical service. This would help our veterans to return to the activities they were accustomed to or even explore new opportunities.
We must not let our veterans' time in service be what holds them back from living the rest of their lives.
Mr. Speaker, I thank our Health Subcommittee chairwoman for her leadership on both issues. This bill is a fantastic idea that will save veterans' lives, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1969, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, at the end of the fiscal year, the Fox Grant Program expires. This bill will keep the Fox Grant Program going. We have made important improvements to the grant program, the bill that is before us today.
I look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders and veterans groups to find ways to make even more improvements to the Fox Grant Program, but I won't let perfect be the enemy of the good. We can't let this lifesaving program that veterans and their families rely on stop. That is what we are here to do.
When it comes to the screening tool, it is essential that all grantees use the same protocol to determine the effectiveness of services and programs.
The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale is currently a tool used by VA as one component of an eligibility screening and identifies individuals with suicidal thoughts and behavior.
If we simply allow grantees to use whatever protocol they choose, this could create differing approaches and confusion. The bill simply requires that grantee servers include this essential screening tool. The code says include, not exclude or only.
This bill, as amended, preserves VA's flexibility to ensure the best results for veterans who are seeking mental health services in their most desperate moments.
It is common sense to allow those who are already providing mental health services to receive grants for a suicide prevention program. Not only are these applicants subject to the same level of scrutiny as previous years' grantees but they also receive the same amount of funding.
The idea that this creates a loophole or expands community care is far from reality. Adding qualified providers to the list of grantees helps keep the door open for veterans seeking mental health services. The reality is this program is set to expire in September, and we cannot allow this to happen.
Delay jeopardizes this program. We have big problems to solve. Adding qualified mental health providers will only help.
I can appreciate the fact that the Senate has a different perspective. However, I find their approach to be business as usual for Congress and VA. Their bill would simply reauthorize the program for longer and with more money. It would also oblige VA to provide more vague reporting requirements and briefing, in other words, more money and more bureaucracy.
If this program had been perfect, maybe this would be a good idea. I think we can do better by ensuring the program continues longer, while giving Congress the opportunity to revisit these programs.
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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation.
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