Bill > HR6858

This bill, titled the "Veteran Suicide Prevention Act," directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a comprehensive review of suicides among veterans who received care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) within the five years leading up to their deaths. This review, which must be completed within 18 months of the bill's enactment, will examine the total number of such suicides, demographic information of the veterans, a detailed list of medications prescribed and found in their systems at the time of death (specifically noting those with a "black box warning"—a serious warning about potential death or injury—or those used off-label, psychotropic, or carrying suicide-related warnings), the medical reasons for these prescriptions, instances of multiple VA-prescribed medications, the percentage of veterans not on VA medications, the prevalence of combat experience or trauma (including military sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress), VA facilities with high prescription and suicide rates, current VA medication prescribing policies, any observed patterns, and recommendations for improving veteran safety and well-being. Following the review, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress and make it publicly available within 30 days of its completion.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6858/all-info