Bill > S4137

This bill, known as the "RECOVER Act," directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a three-year pilot program that will award grants to non-profit outpatient mental health facilities. These facilities must have at least three years of operational experience and will use the grant funds to provide "culturally competent" (meaning sensitive to the unique backgrounds and experiences of veterans) and "evidence-based" (meaning proven effective through research) mental health care to veterans. The program aims to ensure grants are distributed evenly between rural and urban areas and may prioritize facilities serving medically underserved areas, those with large veteran populations, or those near military installations. Grant recipients cannot charge veterans for services under the program and must demonstrate accountability, clinical outcomes, and effective use of funds through data collection. The bill also authorizes $20 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2027 to fund this initiative, and the Secretary will report to Congress on the program's outcomes, including the number of veterans served, the types of care provided, and any challenges encountered.