After reviewing the Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act and data from various journals, we further understand the importance of this bill becoming a law and are in full support. With research, we have discovered a repetitive theme of an increase prevalence of mental health disorders, including PTSD and depression, among soldiers returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. In one study found here, researchers found a continued linear increase in the cumulative prevalence of new mental health diagnoses in veterans who have been home for at least two years. This suggests that soldiers are still experiencing symptoms, if not an increase in symptoms, of PTSD and depression months to years after they have finished touring. This is a huge concern and it is imperative that they have immediate access to screenings and mental health care in order to prevent further debilitating symptoms. If the Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act becomes a law, veterans can be seen earlier and more readily with a greater range of services and resources to assist them in returning to wellness.
We will work to see that the Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act is passed. As mentioned earlier, since this bill is so young and has not moved from the subcommittee on health and there has been little publicity about it. It important to spread information to the people, especially current soldiers, veterans and their families, so they can become more informed and involved. We will raise awareness among nursing peers, through this blog and word of mouth, as this issue is related to nursing and the healthcare practice as previously outlined. The Virginia Nursing Association will also be contacted in hopes that they will participate in the cause and raise awearness among nursing thoughout the state. We will start our work locally by contacting local newspapers and media in hopes of gaining the people’s attention and sharing our passion for this legislation. Also, we will contact Virginia state legislators and key stake holders. This blog will be used as a tool to spread information about the bill and its importance over the internet to populations throughout the nation. By spreading information and increasing publicity locally and throughout the web people will recognize the prevalence of mental health issues among veterans and the good that this bill will do if passed. Once the people are talking, hopefully legislators will start to consider the importance as well.
Key stakeholders and legislators in passing H.R. 1544 include the following people and groups:
1. Veterans and families of veterans
3. Representative Steve Driehaus of the 1st district of Ohio
4. Subcommittee on Health including these legislators:
Democrats— Chairman Michael H. Michaud (ME), Corrine Brown (FL), Vic Snyder (AR), Harry Teague (NM), Ciro D. Rodriguez (TX), Joe Donnelly (IN), Jerry McNerney (CA), Glenn C. Nye (VA), Deborah L. Halvorson (IL), Thomas S. P. Perriello (VA)
Republicans—Henry E. Brown. Jr. (SC), Cliff Stearns (FL), Jerry Moran (KS), John Boozman (AR), Gus M. Bilirakis (FL), Vern Buchanan (FL)
Democrats— Chairman Michael H. Michaud (ME), Corrine Brown (FL), Vic Snyder (AR), Harry Teague (NM), Ciro D. Rodriguez (TX), Joe Donnelly (IN), Jerry McNerney (CA), Glenn C. Nye (VA), Deborah L. Halvorson (IL), Thomas S. P. Perriello (VA)
Republicans—Henry E. Brown. Jr. (SC), Cliff Stearns (FL), Jerry Moran (KS), John Boozman (AR), Gus M. Bilirakis (FL), Vern Buchanan (FL)
5. Fellow nurses and other health care professionals, including the Virginia Nurses Association.
Thanks for bringing awareness to this bill. It seems to me that your group has done good research on how veterans are affected by serving overseas in the military. I find this bill extremely important because the men and women who are serving our country are making huge sacrifices in order to defend our nation's freedom. I think that our government does need to enact this bill because it is just one simple way that we can help to "pay back" the veterans for their service and share our appreciation. I have seen first hand the effects of PTSD and depression in the life of one of my friends who recently returned from Iraq. By having more resources available for them, I believe that we as nurses and healthcare providers will really be able to help. Your group pinpointed some excellent key stakeholders for this bill. I think that it is great that you are contacting both the Department of Veteran Affairs as well as the Virginia Nurses Association because if they step up and fight for this bill to be passed, the government will see the needs for it from both the healthcare viewpoint as well as the viewpoint of the veterans. Best wishes!
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