Peace Garden News

The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee convened to address the improvement of outreach to veterans for mental health support. The focus was on enhancing access to suicide prevention services through discussions that involved key legislative proposals.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, a member of the committee, engaged Dr. Thomas O’Toole, Acting Assistant Under Secretary of Health for Clinical Services at the Veterans Health Administration. Their discussion centered around the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP) and Cramer's own legislation, the Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act.

Senator Cramer, along with U.S. Senator Chris Coons, introduced this bipartisan legislation to ensure that states which have not yet received grants, including North Dakota and Delaware, are considered for the SSG Fox SPGP. Cramer emphasized the importance of reaching out to veterans before a crisis occurs and highlighted the current gaps in funding allocations.

“Neither North Dakota nor Delaware received any of the funds, despite a very, very good application," stated Cramer, expressing concerns over the lack of funding to these states. He argued for a fair distribution of resources and emphasized the size and rural nature of North Dakota, pointing to the state's notable veteran population.

Cramer stated, “[The Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act] recognizes that a couple of states didn't receive funds from the program, and we want to prioritize states that haven't received funds previously." He described his legislation as a straightforward solution to include more states in the program.

Despite the VA's concerns, Cramer stressed, “I think when it comes to an entire state, regardless of the small population, is after all why there are two senators from every one of them." He reiterated the need for a solution that prioritizes states previously excluded from funding.

Dr. O’Toole indicated that the department is open to collaborating with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to refine the program's approach.