Us Congress House Bill HB9091

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 7/22/24
• Refer: 7/22/24
• Refer: 8/28/24

Caption

Mental Health Care Provider Retention Act of 2024

Impact

The bill establishes a framework for covered individuals to receive the same treatment priority as active-duty military personnel at military treatment facilities even after transitioning to VA care. It also stipulates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must reimburse the Secretary of Defense for services rendered to ensure fairness in financial responsibility. By allowing individuals to retain their mental health care provider, the bill addresses the psychological well-being of veterans and active service members transitioning to VA services, which is critical for their recovery and rehabilitation.

Summary

House Bill 9091, titled the 'Mental Health Care Provider Retention Act of 2024', aims to facilitate the transition of individuals receiving mental health treatment from the Department of Defense (DoD) to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This legislation permits individuals who are transitioning to continue their treatment with their existing mental health care provider from the DoD, ensuring continuity of care during a potentially challenging period for service members and veterans. The overarching goal is to maintain the quality of mental health care while ensuring that individual needs are met during the transition phase.

Contention

Some key points of contention may arise regarding the logistics of reimbursement between the DoD and VA, as well as concerns about ensuring that adequate resources are available in both systems to support this continuity of care. Critics may argue about the potential implications of financial costs associated with extended care from the DoD or question the ability of the VA to effectively integrate care from the DoD providers into their existing system, particularly if the treatment settings or modalities differ significantly.