Bills · HR 553
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 553Veterans' medical careHealth promotion and preventive care
BRAVE Act
INTRO JAN 16· LAST ACTION FEB 20
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
8
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it aims to proactively connect veterans, especially those who have faced significant stressors, with crucial mental health resources. Many veterans struggle with mental health issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and sometimes they aren't aware of the full range of services available to them, or they might feel isolated.
If this bill becomes law, it could lead to more veterans seeking and receiving timely mental health care, potentially reducing mental health crises, improving quality of life, and even lowering veteran suicide rates by making information more accessible. If it doesn't pass, the current system of veterans needing to actively seek out information for mental health care would remain, potentially leaving some at-risk veterans unaware of available support.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must establish a patient outreach system specifically for mental health care.
This provision creates a new, dedicated mechanism for the VA to engage with veterans about mental health.
PROVISION 02
The outreach system will target veterans who are already enrolled in VA healthcare and have experienced a traumatic or highly stressful event.
This defines the specific group of veterans that the bill aims to help, focusing on those most likely to need mental health support.
PROVISION 03
Veterans will be able to elect (choose) to receive mental health information and resources from the VA.
This ensures that participation in the outreach system is voluntary, respecting veteran privacy and autonomy.
PROVISION 04
The VA Secretary must try to coordinate this new system with the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program.
This aims to create a more seamless transition for service members leaving the military and connecting them to VA resources early.
PROVISION 05
The patient outreach system must be established within two years of the bill's enactment.
This sets a clear timeframe for the VA to implement the new mental health outreach program.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 8
R· Virginia
YRS IN OFFICE
18
BILLS LED
23
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 8 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSFEB 20
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
JAN 16
Introduced in House
JAN 16
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 553
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 16, 2025
Last actionFeb 20, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 16, 2025
House BillHR 553Veterans' medical careHealth promotion and preventive care
BRAVE Act
INTRODUCED JAN 16, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 20, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
8
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
