U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Congressman Jim Banks (IN-R-03) Friday announced that their bill to study the Veterans Crisis Line passed both the House and Senate this week. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill into law as part of a bipartisan spending package.
Started in 2011, the Crisis Line is a key resource for veterans. According to the Veterans Administration, suicide is 22 percent more likely among veterans than the non-veteran population. The legislation authorizes a formal study and report of the effectiveness of the Veterans Crisis Line in preventing suicide and addressing mental health care.
“This legislation will help ensure that the Veterans Crisis Line is accomplishing its goal of saving lives and providing veterans with mental health services. Like all government programs, we must rigorously evaluate its effectiveness to ensure our veterans are getting the care they deserve,” said Senator Young. “I was glad to partner with Senator Donnelly and Congressman Banks on this bill and I look forward to the President signing it into law.”
“With 20 veterans lost every single day to suicide, our country is facing a crisis that must be addressed. We are proud that language we authored to improve the effectiveness of the Veterans’ Crisis Line was included in the recently passed spending package, and we look forward to the President signing it,” said Congressman Banks. “For every 20 veterans lost, 14 have never received VA mental health services. With the metrics our language will help provide, we hope that more of our nation’s heroes will find the continuity of care at the VA that they need to heal.”
Click here to learn more about the Veterans Crisis Line Study Act.
