Bill > S702

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to commission an independent study on the quality of mental health and addiction therapy care, comparing VA healthcare providers to non-VA providers. The study must be completed within 18 months and will comprehensively examine various treatment modalities including telehealth, in-patient, intensive out-patient, out-patient, and residential treatment. The research will assess multiple critical elements such as health outcome improvements, use of evidence-based practices, coordination between providers, patient satisfaction, treatment of co-occurring conditions, ongoing health outcome monitoring, and service initiation time. The study's findings will be reported to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees and published publicly, with specific requirements to evaluate health improvements using standardized scales like the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale and criteria from the American Society of Addiction Medicine. The goal is to provide a comprehensive, objective analysis of mental health and addiction therapy care quality for veterans, identifying potential gaps and opportunities for improvement in healthcare delivery.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/702/all-info