Bill > HR3863

This bill, titled the VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act, aims to improve mental health support for veterans by directing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer annual mental health consultations and conduct outreach to veterans receiving compensation for a service-connected disability related to a mental health diagnosis. This means that veterans with conditions like PTSD or depression, for which they are already receiving financial benefits from the VA, will be proactively offered a yearly check-in to discuss their mental health needs and available care options. The outreach efforts, which veterans can opt out of, will inform them about these consultations and other mental health services, using methods such as phone calls, text messages, emails, or letters, depending on the contact information the VA has for the veteran. The bill also includes technical amendments to renumber the relevant section of law and requires the VA Secretary to report annually for three years on the success rates of these outreach methods, while the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will review the overall impact of these changes, including which outreach methods are most effective and any barriers veterans face in accessing these services. Additionally, a separate provision in the bill modifies certain housing loan fees by extending their expiration date from June 9, 2034, to May 12, 2035.