[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 85 (Monday, May 17, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2375-H2378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SGT. KETCHUM RURAL VETERANS MENTAL HEALTH ACT OF 2021
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2441) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand
the Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement Program of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and to direct the Comptroller General
of the United States to conduct a study to assess certain mental health
care resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs available to
veterans who live in rural areas.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2441
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 ``Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans
Mental Health Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF RURAL ACCESS NETWORK FOR GROWTH
ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Expansion.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish and maintain three new centers of the RANGE
Program.
(b) Locations.--The centers established under subsection
(a) shall be located in areas determined by the Secretary
based on--
(1) the need for additional mental health care for rural
veterans in such areas; and
(2) interest expressed by personnel at facilities of the
Department in such areas.
(c) Timeline.--The Secretary shall establish the centers
under subsection (a) during fiscal year 2022.
(d) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated
$1,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2024 to
carry out this section.
SEC. 3. GAO STUDY OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE FURNISHED BY THE
SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO RURAL
VETERANS.
(a) Study Required.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall conduct a study to assess whether the Department
of Veterans Affairs has sufficient resources to serve rural
veterans who need covered mental health care. Such study
shall include assessments of--
(1) whether the mental health care furnished by the
Secretary (through resources including the RANGE Program,
Enhanced RANGE Program, mental health residential
rehabilitation treatment programs, inpatient mental health
services, and PRR centers) is sufficient to meet the covered
mental health care needs of rural veterans;
(2) how best to expand and to appropriately locate
resources described in paragraph (1);
(3) whether to require the establishment of a PRR center at
a medical facility of the Department that serves 1,000 or
more veterans on the National Psychosis Registry;
(4) the demand by rural veterans for mental health
resources specified in paragraph (1);
(5) the average wait time for a rural veteran for mental
health resources specified in paragraph (1); and
(6) how many rural veterans died by suicide or overdose--
(A) while on a wait list for mental health resources
specified in paragraph (1); and
[[Page H2376]]
(B) during the term of the study.
(b) Report Required.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the
results of the study under this section.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) The term ``covered mental health care'' means mental
health care that is more intensive than traditional
outpatient therapy.
(2) The term ``PRR center'' means a psychosocial
rehabilitation and recovery center of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
(3) The term ``RANGE Program'' means the Rural Access
Network for Growth Enhancement Program of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
(4) The term ``rural veteran'' means a veteran who lives in
a rural or highly rural area (including such an area in a
Tribal or insular area), as determined through the use of the
Rural-Urban Commuting Areas coding system of the Department
of Agriculture.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) 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
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
to insert extraneous material on H.R. 2441.
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, I am pleased to speak on H.R. 2441, the Sgt. Ketchum
Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021, introduced by Congresswoman
Axne.
This bill has not only bipartisan support, but also bicameral support
with the recent introduction of a companion bill from Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committee Chairman Tester and Ranking Member Moran.
This bill is named for an Iowa veteran who died by suicide after
failing to receive intensive treatment for his PTSD. It is designed to
honor his memory with action and to prevent a similar outcome for his
fellow veterans.
Through this legislation, VA will open three new RANGE programs in
rural locations, including territories and insular areas. VA RANGE
programs offer intensive outpatient services and case management for
rural veterans with mental illness, housing and food insecurity,
financial issues, and problems with daily living. They can be
absolutely lifesaving for veterans who need this kind of wraparound
care and safety nets.
Additionally, this bill calls for a GAO study of how accessible VA's
continuum of superior mental healthcare services, from outpatient to
residential and inpatient, really is for rural veterans.
We all know that even a well-designed system may not reach every
veteran who needs it. With this legislation, our work to close the gaps
will be guided by data. I, therefore, ask my colleagues to join me in
supporting the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act.
Madam Speaker, I support this legislation, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2441, the Sgt. Ketchum
Rural Veterans Mental Health Act.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I am pleased to commemorate it
today by passing this bill to expand mental healthcare to veterans in
rural areas.
The Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act would expand VA's
RANGE program. The RANGE program provides veterans who have serious
mental illness or who are at risk of homelessness with intense case
management.
Almost a quarter of our Nation's veterans reside in rural
communities. I am one of those veterans who does. While I wouldn't have
it any other way, I know firsthand that living in a rural area can be a
barrier to care. This bill will help remove that barrier for some of
our most vulnerable veterans. It will help ensure that they do not fall
through the cracks. It will help them heal.
It will also require GAO to assess whether VA has sufficient
resources to support mental health in rural areas. That will help
identify any other barriers to care that may exist for these veterans
so that we can break them down.
This bill is supported by the entire Iowa delegation, including by my
friend, fellow veteran, and fellow committee member, Congresswoman
Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
It is named after Brandon Ketchum, an Iowa veteran who died by
suicide in 2016. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and
friends. I am honored to support this bill today in Brandon's memory.
Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Iowa (Mrs. Axne), my good friend and the author of H.R. 2441.
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an Iowan, a Marine,
and a fallen hero, Brandon Ketchum.
I am also here to make a promise to his mother, Bev. When I
introduced this legislation, I told Bev that Brandon's story was one
that would ensure that other veterans get the mental health help that
they need. Today, we are here to take that next step in keeping that
promise.
Five years ago, retired Sergeant Brandon Ketchum took his own life
when he was unable to get the mental healthcare he needed. Sergeant
Ketchum had served two tours in Iraq and another in Afghanistan. In his
first tour alone, he helped clear 92 roadside bombs in 7 months,
service that earned him the Combat Action Ribbon.
His heroic service wasn't his only role, however. He was a loving
father, son, brother, and friend. But like many veterans, Sergeant
Ketchum struggled with depression, addiction, and PTSD related to his
time in uniform.
After his service, Brandon volunteered and spoke publicly to students
about his experience with PTSD. But despite receiving therapy and
addiction treatment after returning from his tours, Brandon had a hard
time adjusting to civilian life.
When he sought inpatient hospitalization in 2016 from an Iowa VA, the
treatment rooms were full, and he was turned down for the care he
needed. Hours later, Sergeant Ketchum took his own life.
We all know that veterans do not have enough mental health resources
across this country. Nearly 17 veterans die by suicide every day, and a
recent HHS study found that only 50 percent of returning vets who need
mental health treatment will receive it. And, in particular, these
mental health services are even harder to find in our Nation's rural
areas, areas that I and my Iowa colleagues represent here in Congress.
The truth is sad, but it is pretty simple. We are failing our
veterans. Brandon asked us for help, but he was turned away because of
a lack of resources. So, we must make sure, in his memory and for the
sake of others still serving, that when our soldiers return home, they
can get the treatment that they need.
My bill will increase mental health facilities in rural areas by
establishing three new Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement
programs, known by their acronym RANGE. RANGE programs provide rural
veterans with more mental health resources, including access to a team
of experts who can provide intensive addiction and mental health
treatment, helping veterans reintegrate into their communities.
My bill will also study how the VA is currently meeting the needs of
rural veterans with mental health issues and what resources may be
needed to improve their care so that we can actually address the root
causes of mental health issues in our rural areas and with our
veterans.
Not only is this an important cause, but it is a bipartisan one, too.
As mentioned, all four members of our Iowa delegation have joined
together and signed on to this. I would like to thank them all for
doing that, my incredible cosponsors, and, of course, Chairman Takano
and subcommittee Chairwoman Brownley for their support of this bill, as
well as their constant dedication to our veterans.
[[Page H2377]]
Veterans put their lives on the line and serve our Nation with honor.
When they come home, they should be able to receive the care that they
need regardless of ZIP Code.
We can't simply accept that Brandon's death is a tragedy, and that is
just what it is. We have to use his story to make the changes that are
long overdue and to ensure that no other veteran falls through the
cracks.
We must take action to address the rural health shortages and the
mental health needs of our Nation's veterans. I urge all of my
colleagues to honor Sergeant Ketchum's legacy with a ``yes'' vote on
this bill.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks), from the Second Congressional District.
Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Illinois
for yielding me time.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the bipartisan
Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act, which I was proud to
introduce with the Iowa House delegation.
This legislation was named in honor of the memory and service of
Sergeant Brandon Ketchum of Davenport, which is in my congressional
district. Sergeant Ketchum died by suicide in 2016 after being denied
access to much-needed mental health services for PTSD at the VA
facility in Iowa City.
Our legislation would establish new Rural Access Network for Growth
Enhancement, or RANGE, programs throughout the VA and support
additional research on rural veteran mental healthcare needs.
The case of Sergeant Ketchum is tragic and shows us that we must do
more to serve our veterans. Expanding healthcare services in rural
America and among our veterans are two of my top priorities in
Congress, so I am proud to join the entire Iowa delegation in this
effort. We simply have to do better for our veterans. There is no other
option.
I would like to thank my colleagues in the Iowa delegation,
Congresswoman Axne, Congresswoman Hinson, and Congressman Feenstra, for
their partnership in this simple legislation to help veterans. I urge
all of my colleagues to support the bipartisan Sgt. Ketchum Rural
Veterans Mental Health Act.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am
prepared to close.
But before I reserve the balance of my time, let me say that I am
very, very pleased that we are addressing the issue of mental
healthcare in our rural areas. As we wind down this pandemic, I think
we are going to see not just veterans but Americans of all stripes who
live in our rural areas dealing with the need for increased numbers of
mental healthcare practitioners.
I congratulate and I thank the work of my colleague, Congresswoman
Axne, in moving the VA a step forward in this area. But there is far
more that needs to be done.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Iowa (Mrs. Hinson), from the First Congressional District.
Mrs. HINSON. Madam Speaker, today, I rise in support of H.R. 2441,
the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act.
I want to start off by thanking my colleague, Congresswoman Cindy
Axne, for introducing this legislation and for her leadership. I was
proud to join the gentlewoman and our entire Iowa delegation, as has
already been mentioned, to introduce this very important bipartisan
bill for our veterans.
Sergeant Ketchum from Davenport served our country honorably overseas
in both Iraq and Afghanistan. But let's be real: Not every war wound is
visible.
Many veterans struggle when they come home with serious mental health
challenges. When Sergeant Ketchum returned home from his tours, he
battled again; this time with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sergeant Ketchum sought help at the Iowa City VA hospital but was
turned away. Shortly after, he did take his own life.
No veteran should be denied the help and the care that they need
after dedicating their lives to serving our country. No veteran should
ever be turned away like Sergeant Ketchum was.
Unfortunately, veterans who live in rural areas face increased
challenges and additional barriers to accessing the treatment that they
need.
Our legislation, named in honor of Sergeant Ketchum, will improve
access to mental health services for veterans in rural areas. Our
veterans put their lives on the line every day to protect our freedoms,
and we have a duty to ensure that they can receive high-quality
treatment once they return home from service.
We have a duty to ensure that our veterans know they aren't alone and
that we have their backs, regardless of where they live.
I am proud to work alongside my colleagues in Iowa to improve access
to mental health services for veterans in rural areas and to help
ensure that no veteran is denied the care that they deserve.
I urge all of our colleagues to support the Sgt. Ketchum Rural
Veterans Mental Health Act. Vote ``yes'' in honor of Sergeant Ketchum
and the thousands of veterans like him who need and deserve our
support.
{time} 1545
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Iowa
(Mr. Feenstra).
Mr. FEENSTRA. Madam Speaker, our veterans deserve the best care and
attention, including when it comes to treating unseen wounds. That is
why I am honored to be part of this effort to expand mental health
services to our veterans in rural areas.
The Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans' Mental Health Act is named in honor
of Sergeant Brandon Ketchum, an Iowan and a Marine Corps veteran who
served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After serving overseas, he suffered from a number of physical and
mental conditions. Tragically, Sergeant Ketchum took his own life after
failing to receive the mental healthcare he needed from the VA.
It is clear, mental healthcare shortcomings for our veterans need to
be addressed, and that is what this bill does.
I thank my colleague from Iowa, Congresswoman Axne, for her work on
this important bill. I also thank my colleagues, Congresswoman Miller-
Meeks and Congresswoman Hinson, for their work as well.
God bless all those who have fought to protect our country. We owe
them our help.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for
the purpose of closing.
Madam Speaker, I just encourage everyone to support this piece of
legislation. There should be no one that would vote against this.
Like all of the pieces of legislation that we have worked on this
afternoon, Madam Speaker, I do want to thank the chairman and his staff
for the job of working together. This is truly a case where this
committee has done its bipartisan work the way it should.
I also want to thank our staff for the hard work that they have put
in with each one of these bills, as well as each of the Members today
who have presented these pieces of legislation.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I extend my thanks to Ranking Member Bost and the
Republicans on the committee and all staff from both sides of the aisle
for putting together this package of 10 bills in advance of Memorial
Day. It is especially poignant to end today's package of bills with a
bill named in memory of Sergeant Ketchum.
As we failed to reach Sergeant Ketchum in a timely and effective way
in rural America, let's not forget that the VA's mental healthcare has
improved greatly over the past several years. We need to make sure that
quality of healthcare gets out into the rural areas.
We are charged as a Veterans' Affairs Committee to deal with our
veterans and their healthcare needs. Part of the answer to serving our
veterans is to make sure that we have robust providers, regardless of
whether they serve veterans or the general population. We need to look
at how we are going to do that in rural America, including our
territories and insular areas.
[[Page H2378]]
I will use this moment on the floor to plug that cause with all of my
colleagues who may be listening from their offices. We must, for the
sake of all the folks that have suffered so long from this pandemic,
look at how we are going to provide a robust provider network for
mental healthcare.
As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, I am so gratified and
pleased with the work we have done on a bipartisan basis to produce
this package of bills and that we have preserved the spirit of the
committee.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 2441, 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. 2441.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROSENDALE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
____________________