Domenici Calls for Resources for Families of Mentally Ill Warriors

Press Release

Domenici Calls for Resources for Families of Mentally Ill Warriors

U.S. Senator Pete Domenici today reiterated his support for men and women in uniform, as well as their families, as he joined Senate colleagues to support legislation that would provide travel assistance to family members of men and women in uniform who are affected by serious psychological conditions.

Domenici cosponsored the Travel Assistance for Family Members of Our Troops Act of 2008 (S.2689). The legislation, authored by Senators Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), would modify current regulations to provide travel assistance to allow family members of mentally ill service members who are receiving inpatient treatment to be with their loved ones.

"Although not as visible as physical injuries, the psychological conditions sustained by many of our service men and women following their time in combat require the same resources to speed recovery," said Domenici.

"In many cases, the love and support of family members provides significant help while these men and women are receiving necessary treatment. I believe this legislation will provide the help these individuals and their loved ones deserve as they work to transition back to normal life," he said.

Current law provides travel assistance only for family members to be with those classified as seriously ill or injured, which excludes psychiatric conditions. S.2689 would expand provisions to allow travel assistance for family members of service men and women receiving treatment for serious psychiatric conditions on par with that already offered for seriously ill or injured military members.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Domenici is a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Last year, he authored the Veterans' Mental Health Outreach and Access Act (S.38) to improve access to mental health treatments for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

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