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NEW: Vets struggling with suicidal thoughts can receive free care at VA centers

Dayton Daily News - 1/17/2023

Jan. 17—For veterans struggling with thoughts of suicide, new help is available, and it may be free.

Starting today veterans suffering a suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost, including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days, the Department of Veterans Affairs said.

Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to take advantage of this benefit.

The action will provide acute suicide care for up to 9 million veterans who are not currently enrolled with the VA, the department said.

"Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency health care they deserve, no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they're enrolled in VA care," VA Secretary for Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough said. "This expansion of care will save veterans' lives, and there's nothing more important than that."

VA has submitted an interim final rule on the change to the federal register to establish this authority, which takes effect Jan. 17.

The authority allows the VA to pay for or reimburse for treatment of eligible individuals' care, transportation costs and follow-up care at a VA or non-VA facility for up to 30 days of inpatient care and 90 days of outpatient care.

Eligible individuals, regardless of VA enrollment status, are: — Veterans who were discharged or released from active duty after more than 24 months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable. — Former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. — Former members of the armed forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces.

Last summer, VA announced new efforts to end veteran suicide, including establishing 988 (then press 1) as a way for veterans to quickly connect with support.

According to a VA report released last year, suicides among veterans increased by an average of 43 every year from 2001 to 2018 before the trend started to slowly improve. There were 343 fewer veterans who died from suicide in 2020 than in 2019, and 2020 had the lowest number of veteran suicides since 2006, the report said.

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