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PRESS RELEASE: McCaskill Votes to Support Bill to Help Prevent Veteran Suicide

News from

Senator Claire McCaskill

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEBRUARY 3, 2015

     

 

Contact: Sarah Feldman (print) or Anamarie Rebori (broadcast) – 202-228-6263 

 

McCaskill Votes to Support Bill to Help Prevent Veteran Suicide

Bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening mental health and suicide prevention services

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today voted to support the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening mental health services and curbing the epidemic of veteran suicide.

 

The legislation seeks to expand veterans’ access to mental health services as well as improve the quality and effectiveness of Department of Veterans Affairs programs that address symptoms of traumatic brain injury, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or depression.

 

“Upholding the promise we made to our men and women in uniform is one of my most important jobs as a U.S. Senator,” said McCaskill, the daughter of a World War II veteran and senior member of the Armed Services Committee. “And it’s clear we need to do more to support transitioning veterans. This bipartisan legislation is an important step towards ensuring that our veterans can readily access mental health services that are of the highest quality.”

 

McCaskill has led several efforts to increase accountability and quality of veterans services. In 2011, McCaskill launched a veterans customer satisfaction survey in Missouri that gives thousands of veterans the opportunity to provide meaningful feedback on the quality of service they receive at their local VA and helps provide oversight and accountability for VA health care facilities.

 

The bill, which was unanimously approved by the House earlier this month and passed the Senate today with a bipartisan 99-0 vote, now heads to the President’s desk to await his signature.

 

Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/veterans to read highlights of McCaskill’s work to deliver for military veterans.

 

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