Improving Mental Health Care for Veterans

Press Release

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) released the following statement on House passage of H.R. 203, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act:

"When we call on our nation's men and women to go to war, we know many will return home wounded not just in body, but in mind. Many face depression or post-traumatic stress disorder and look to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the health care they need to get back to normal life.

"Unfortunately, 22 veterans commit suicide every day, according to the VA. Each and every one of these deaths is a tragedy. The bill the House passed tonight is named after a young man and a Marine named Clay Hunt. When I met with his parents last month, they told me Clay was a good man who served his country honorably. But the psychological wounds of battle were too much, and he couldn't find the care he needed back home. Honoring his name, the Clay Hunt SAV Act will reform the VA by improving veterans' access to mental health care resources, helping ensure veterans get the help they need after serving and protecting our country."

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