Op-ed: Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks: We must enhance mental health care access for veterans
As we close out September and Suicide Prevention Month, I wanted to highlight the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act, which I introduced with fellow veterans Reps. Jen Kiggans (R., Va.) and Jack Bergman (R., Mich.).
Our bill reauthorizes the Fox Grant Program for three years to provide community-based mental health organizations grant funding to increase access to mental health care, support, and suicide prevention services for veterans in the communities where they live.
The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (Fox Grant Program) was authorized by the passage of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019. The Fox Grant Program aims to provide community-based mental health organizations grant funding to increase access to mental health care, support, and suicide prevention services for veterans in the communities where they live.
The Fox Grant Program expands the reach of the VA’s mental health services, so veterans are connected with the care and treatment — whether traditional or nontraditional — that meets their needs. As of September 2023, hundreds of grantees have completed over 20,000 outreach contacts to veterans. This is why we swiftly acted to renew this pilot program, which will expire in 2025.
The No Wrong Door for Veterans Act would make improvements to the Fox Grant Programs, including making veterans eligible for community-based emergency mental health care if the VA is unable to provide such within 72 hours of first contact from the organization. We know the Veterans Health Administration and clinics are not enough, and often veterans respond better when they’re with a fellow veteran in a casual environment.
Our brave men and women in uniform have sacrificed immeasurably to defend our nation and uphold our freedoms. Yet, when they return home, many face significant challenges transitioning back into civilian life. Too often, these challenges lead to tragic outcomes, including the heartbreaking reality of veteran suicide.
As a 24-year veteran, I have seen the challenges that many of my fellow servicemembers and veterans face, both in uniform and as they adjust to life back in their communities. It is a sad realization that an average 17 veterans lose their lives to suicide every day. One death alone from suicide is one too many.
It is imperative that we continue to work on solutions such as the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program to give veterans and their family members the support that they so desperately need and deserve.
We owe it to our veterans.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks represents Iowa’s 1st District in Congress. She is a member the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where she sits on the Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Minerals, as well as the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where she serves as Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Health.
