VA Sees 50,000 Veterans Use Free Suicide Prevention Care in First Year of Program
April 04, 2024
In a move to address the alarming rates of veteran suicides, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) introduced a significant program in January 2023. Under the new policy, eligible veterans in acute suicidal crises can seek free emergency care at any VA or non-VA health care center.
As the first year of the emergency suicide prevention program concludes, the VA reports that 49,714 veterans have used the service. This translates to over $64 million in saved healthcare costs. The initiative covers a range of services, including emergency room visits, up to 30 days of inpatient or crisis residential care, and up to 90 days of outpatient care.
The need for such a program is underscored by troubling statistics from a 2021 Brown University study. Over 30,000 veterans of conflicts after 9/11 have died by suicide, surpassing the number of military personnel killed in those conflicts. The veteran suicide rate, as highlighted in a 2023 VA report, is 71.8 percent higher than that of the general public when age and sex differences are taken into account. In 2021 alone, 6,392 former service members lost their lives to suicide, averaging over 17 veterans per day.
Addressing this crisis, the Biden Administration unveiled a national strategy in 2021, declaring veteran suicide a “public health and national security crisis.” President Biden emphasized the “sacred obligation” to support those who serve and return, acknowledging that as a nation, “we are falling short.”
Part of the strategy involves improving access to mental health services and expanding crisis care. Veterans, irrespective of their VA enrollment status, have gained the ability to seek free emergent suicidal care at emergency rooms in a VA or non-VA facility. The policy also applies to former service members who experienced sexual trauma. Additionally, it extends to individuals not technically classified as veterans, such as those who left active duty under conditions other than dishonorable.
Crucially, the VA covers transportation costs for eligible veterans seeking emergency care. Any veteran facing billing issues can call (877) 881-7618 to reach the VA customer service center for assistance.
In tandem with the no-cost emergency care policy, the VA has introduced additional measures to enhance suicide prevention support. In 2022, the agency set up a new hotline — Dial 988, then press 1. Called the Veterans Crisis Line, the number serves as a critical resource for veterans in crisis, offering immediate assistance and a compassionate ear.
While the VA has made progress in addressing veteran suicide, a ProPublica report released in January 2024 reveals that the agency can still do a lot more to improve its mental health services. An analysis of hundreds of studies carried out by the VA’s inspector general since 2020 found repeated lapses in behavioral care, some with fatal outcomes. Many veteran deaths could have been prevented as they occurred due to poor care and the staff’s failure to adhere to VA protocol.
Among the problems that emerged in the research included employees failing to follow up with patients and not conducting proper mental health screenings to evaluate veterans’ risk of violence or suicide. According to ProPublica, other broader issues within the VA system also need to be dealt with, such as outdated policies, the lack of proper mental health staffing, and inconsistent standards across the sprawling healthcare network.
Addressing veteran suicide requires a multifaceted approach. The VA’s no-cost emergency care program demonstrates that tangible support can make a significant impact. However, continued efforts, awareness, and resources are essential to comprehensively tackle the complex issue of veteran mental health and suicide.
Veterans deserve timely and accessible care. If you are a former service member who is having trouble receiving the care and benefits you need, reach out to Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC. Our national practice is dedicated to providing legal services to veterans and their dependents. Contact us today to start your free claim evaluation.