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117-hr-2441117th CongressWALLET

Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021

Sponsored By: Representative Axne, Cynthia [D-IA-3]

Became Law

Summary

This law expands access to intensive mental health care for rural veterans by directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish three new Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement (RANGE) centers in areas of need and facility interest. It also requires the Government Accountability Office to study whether VA has enough intensive mental health resources, how best to expand and locate them, demand and average wait times, and deaths by suicide or overdose while veterans are on waitlists, with a report due within 18 months.

Show full summary
  • Rural veterans: Gain three new RANGE centers targeted to areas of greatest need, aiming to reach veterans who need care beyond traditional outpatient therapy.
  • VA operations: The Secretary must establish the centers during fiscal year 2022 and the law authorizes $1.2 million per year for each of FY2022–FY2024 to support implementation.
  • Oversight and planning: The Government Accountability Office will assess the sufficiency and placement of VA’s intensive mental health services, measure demand and wait times, and count suicides or overdoses while veterans wait, then report findings to congressional veterans committees within 18 months.

*Authorizes up to $3.6 million over FY2022–FY2024 for the new centers and, if appropriated, would increase federal spending.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More mental health care for rural veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs must open and run three new centers in fiscal year 2022. These centers give more intensive mental health care than standard outpatient therapy. Locations are chosen based on local need and staff interest. A rural veteran means living in a rural or highly rural area, including Tribal or U.S. island areas, using USDA Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes. Congress authorizes $1.2 million each year for 2022, 2023, and 2024 to support this work.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Axne, Cynthia [D-IA-3]

IA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 4/12/2021

  • Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 4/12/2021

  • Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 4/12/2021

  • Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 4/12/2021

  • Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 4/12/2021

  • Rep. O'Halleran, Tom [D-AZ-1]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 4/13/2021

  • Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/13/2021

  • Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/16/2021

  • Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 4/16/2021

  • Rep. Rice, Tom [R-SC-7]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 4/16/2021

  • Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 4/22/2021

  • Rep. Lawson, Al, Jr. [D-FL-5]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 4/22/2021

  • Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2021

  • Del. San Nicolas, Michael F. Q. [D-GU-At Large]

    GU • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2021

  • Rep. McClain, Lisa C. [R-MI-9]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2021

  • Rep. Wild, Susan [D-PA-7]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2021

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2021

  • Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 5/7/2021

  • Rep. Kirkpatrick, Ann [D-AZ-1]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2021

  • Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2021

  • Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 5/12/2021

  • Rep. Delgado, Antonio [D-NY-19]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/12/2021

  • Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2021

  • Resident Commissioner González-Colón, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large]

    PR • R

    Sponsored 5/13/2021

  • Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2021

  • Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2021

  • Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2021

  • Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2021

  • Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 5/17/2021

  • Rep. Bustos, Cheri [D-IL-17]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/17/2021

  • Rep. Taylor, Van [R-TX-3]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 5/17/2021

  • Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 5/17/2021

  • Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 5/17/2021

  • Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 5/17/2021

  • Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 5/18/2021

  • Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/18/2021

  • Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 5/18/2021

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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