[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 21, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H4041-H4042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FOSTERING INTERGOVERNMENTAL HEALTH TRANSPARENCY IN VETERAN SUICIDES ACT
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2340) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide
to Congress notice of any suicide or attempted suicide of a veteran in
a Department of Veterans Affairs facility, and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2340
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fostering Intergovernmental
Health Transparency in Veteran Suicides Act'' or ``FIGHT
Veteran Suicides Act''.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL NOTICE OF SUICIDES AND ATTEMPTED
SUICIDES OF VETERANS IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS FACILITIES.
Section 1720F of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(l) Congressional Notice Requirements.--(1) In the case
of the suicide or attempted suicide of any veteran that
occurs in, or on the grounds of, a Department facility, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate and the House of Representatives and the
Senators and member of Congress representing the district in
which the facility is located and the Senators and member of
Congress representing the district in which the veteran
resides the following notices:
``(A) Not later than seven days after the date on which the
suicide or attempted suicide occurs, notice of--
``(i) the suicide or attempted suicide; and
``(ii) the name of the facility and location where the
suicide or attempted suicide occurred.
``(B) Subject to subparagraph (C), not later than 60 days
after such date, notice of the following information (if
available) regarding the veteran who committed or attempted
to commit suicide:
``(i) The enrollment status of the veteran with respect to
the patient enrollment system of the Department under section
1705 of this title.
``(ii) The most recent encounter between the veteran and
any employee or facility of the Veterans Health
Administration before the suicide or attempted suicide
occurred.
``(iii) Whether the veteran had other medical insurance or
coverage (including TRICARE, Medicare, and Medicaid).
``(iv) The Armed Force in which the veteran served.
``(v) The time period when the veteran served in the Armed
Forces.
``(vi) The age of the veteran.
``(vii) The marital status of the veteran.
``(viii) The employment status of the veteran.
``(ix) The housing status of the veteran.
``(x) The gender identity of the veteran.
``(xi) The sexual orientation of the veteran.
``(xii) The race of the veteran.
``(xiii) Confirmation that the Secretary has provided
notice to the immediate family members of the veteran
regarding any Department support or assistance for which such
family members may be eligible.
``(C) In collecting and reporting information under
subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall take all steps the
Secretary determines necessary to respect the privacy and
dignity of the veteran and the family of the veteran.
``(2) Each notice submitted under subparagraph (A) or (B)
of paragraph (1) shall include a copy of guidance developed
by the Secretary for purposes of dissemination that is
designed to--
``(A) deter the sensationalism of suicide;
``(B) provide information regarding warning signs that are
often exhibited by veterans at risk of suicide; and
``(C) provide notice of the resources the Department offers
to veterans who may be at risk of suicide, including the
Veterans Crisis Line and readjustment counseling provided
through Vet Centers.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David P.
Roe) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 2340, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, since the beginning of this year, seven--seven--
veterans have died by suicide in or on the grounds of VA facilities.
Sadly, another suicide occurred at a VA hospital in Washington just
this weekend.
Currently, VA staff notify both the House and Senate Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the events as a matter of courtesy; however,
should the Department's leadership change, there is no assurance this
courtesy would continue.
I have made veteran suicide prevention the top priority for the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs because 20 suicides a day is far too
many. One suicide is far too many. But to address this alarming trend,
Congress must be informed when a suicide occurs on a VA campus and must
be provided all relevant data.
This information will allow the committee to conduct appropriate
oversight, write legislation that will improve outcomes, and, when
necessary, hold individuals accountable when there are clear failures
that impact the timely and adequate care for veterans.
As such, H.R. 2340, as amended, the FIGHT Veteran Suicides Act, would
require the VA Secretary to notify Congress following an attempted or a
completed suicide by a veteran in or on the grounds of a VA facility.
This measure also requires VA to provide Congress with communications
guidance to deter the sensationalism of suicide, provide information on
identifying the warning signs often exhibited by veterans at risk of
suicide, and identify resources offered by the Department for at-risk
veterans, including the Veterans Crisis Line and Vet Center
readjustment counseling.
It is essential that this information be shared, regardless of
leadership at
[[Page H4042]]
VA, what party controls Congress, or who occupies the White House.
I thank Congressman Rose, a combat veteran, for leading the fight
against this tragic national public health crisis, and I want to
commend him for his leadership and for writing this important
legislation that will ensure Congress has all the data it needs to
truly understand and reduce veteran suicide.
I encourage my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on this bill.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2340, as amended, the
FIGHT Veteran Suicides Act.
This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to report
to the local congressional delegation, as well as to the committee,
whenever a veteran attempts or dies by suicide in or on the grounds of
a VA facility.
We have all heard the heartbreaking stories of veterans who have died
by suicide on VA campuses, including five veteran suicide deaths in the
last several weeks alone. There is no indication that these events
represent an increase in the rate of suicide among servicemembers and
veterans, but they are particularly poignant because they occur so
close to help and appear to be an indictment on the healthcare system
that was created to support them.
To be clear, suicide is a national public health crisis that is not
unique to VA, the military, or veterans. However, we must pay careful
attention to the incidents of suicide among those who have served and
sacrificed on our behalf and do everything we can to point those in
crisis to the resources they need to recover from the traumas and live
long, full, healthy lives.
I am grateful to Congressman Max Rose from New York for sponsoring
this bill, which will allow us to learn all we can about the suicides
that occur on VA campuses so that we can take action that may save
other lives in the future.
I encourage all Members to support this much-needed piece of
legislation.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I, too, ask my colleagues to join me in
passing H.R. 2340, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2340, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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