March 05, 2019

Chairman Takano Statement on the Trump Administration’s Executive Order to Prevent Veteran Suicide

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) issued the following statement in response to the Administration’s new Executive Order on the "National Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End Veteran Suicide." Statement from the Chairman below:

“While the Committee fully supports the intent of this executive order we have questions about how the White House plans to implement this initiative at the same time that previous efforts to address veterans suicide remain outstanding. Sadly, too many barriers to access remain for at-risk veterans even though VA is a leader in research and is unrivaled in providing mental health services for veterans. We must press VA to utilize effective treatment strategies driven by evidence based outcomes and strengthen oversight over community partnerships and grants even as the department operates under limited budgetary constraints. Our efforts to locate, make contact with, and provide treatment for veterans, many of whom are outside the VA system, begins before they transition off of active duty and continues as they start their lives as civilians.” 

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