Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. LYNCH. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the en bloc which includes my amendment providing an additional $1 million to the medical services account, to be directed towards public-private partnerships to help address veteran suicide prevention; PTSD and TBI treatment; and substance use disorders.

Madam Chair, taking care of our veterans means taking care of both their physical and mental well-being. Tragically, we are losing veterans at a rate of around 20 a day to suicide, many of whom are also dealing with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and/or substance use disorder.

While the VA is doing tremendous work to reach out to our veterans, the need is still great so we must use every tool available to help them. Through this public-private partnership program the VA will work with research universities, teaching hospitals and other community entities to reach more of our veterans so they can get the help and care they need.

I thank the committee for including my amendment in the en bloc and would urge my colleagues to support it and the underlying bill.

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