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Bill > S2991


US S2991

US S2991
Veteran Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act of 2019


summary

Introduced
12/05/2019
In Committee
12/05/2019
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

116th Congress

Bill Summary

A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct an independent review of the deaths of certain veterans by suicide, and for other purposes. This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to report on the deaths of covered veterans who died by suicide during the last five years, regardless of whether information relating to such deaths has been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A covered veteran is any veteran who received VA hospital care or medical services during the five-year period preceding the veteran's death. Among other elements, the report shall include the total number of covered veterans who died by suicide, violent death, or accidental death, as well as certain demographic information.

AI Summary

This bill, the Veteran Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act of 2019, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct an independent review of the deaths by suicide of certain veterans who received VA healthcare within the last 5 years. The review, to be conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, will examine factors such as the number of veteran deaths by suicide, violent death, or accidental death, the medications prescribed to these veterans, and the use of non-medication treatments. The bill also requires the VA to analyze its staffing levels for mental health professionals and its coordination with external healthcare providers and prescription drug monitoring programs. The goal is to identify potential issues and recommendations to improve the safety and well-being of veterans.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (on 12/05/2019)

bill text


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