United States 117th Congress Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

S 3293 — Post-9/11 Veterans’ Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2021

Last action — Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 117th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Post-9/11 Veterans' Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2021 This bill addresses mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including by requiring the VA to expand access to mental health care, expand its mental health workforce, and conduct studies and research. Among other requirements, the VA must increase the number of full-time equivalent employees at Vet Centers, expand specified scholarships and loan repayment programs for mental health providers and students, offer mental health consultations to certain veterans, improve the assessment and treatment of veterans with sleep disorders, and perform various studies and research related to mental health issues and care.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

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Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill introduces new mental health consultation requirements and workforce expansions under existing veterans' healthcare laws.

  • 38 U.S.C. Chapter 11

    `Sec. 1167. Mental health consultations (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which a veteran submits to the Secretary a claim for compensation under this chapter for service-connected disability relating to a mental health diagnosis, the Secretary shall offer the veteran a mental health consultation to assess the mental health needs of and care options for the veteran. (b) Availability.--The Secretary shall ensure that a veteran offered a mental health consultation under subsection (a) may elect to receive such consultation during the one-year period beginning on the date on which the consultation is offered or during such longer period beginning on such date as the Secretary considers appropriate.`

    Adds a requirement for the Secretary to offer mental health consultations to veterans filing for compensation claims related to mental health.

  • 38 U.S.C. Chapter 20

    `Sec. 2068. Mental health consultations (a) In General.--Not later than two weeks after the date on which a veteran described in subsection (b) enters into a program administered by the Homeless Programs Office of the Department, the Secretary shall offer the veteran a mental health consultation to assess the health needs of and care options for the veteran. (b) Veteran Described.--A veteran described in this subsection is a veteran to whom a mental health consultation is not offered or provided through the case management services of the program of the Homeless Programs Office into which the veteran enters.`

    Establishes a requirement for offering mental health consultations to veterans entering programs administered by the Homeless Programs Office.

  • 38 U.S.C. § 1712A

    `(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall hire an additional 100 full-time equivalent employees for Vet Centers to bolster the workforce of Vet Centers and to provide expanded mental health care to veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and their families through outreach, community access points, outstations, and Vet Centers.`

    Mandates hiring of additional staff at Vet Centers to improve mental health care for veterans and their families.

Action History

  1. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

  2. Introduced in Senate

  3. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

veterans healthcare
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Frequently asked questions

What does S 3293 do?
Post-9/11 Veterans' Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2021 This bill addresses mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including by requiring the VA to expand access to mental health care, expand its mental health workforce, and conduct studies and research. Among other requirements, the VA must increase the number of full-time equivalent employees at Vet Centers, expand specified scholarships and loan repayment programs for mental health providers and students, offer mental health consultations to certain veterans, improve the assessment and treatment of veterans with sleep disorders, and perform various studies and research related to mental health issues and care.
Who sponsors S 3293?
S 3293 is sponsored by Tester, Jon (Democratic).
What is the current status of S 3293?
This bill died with 117th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track S 3293?
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