Cassidy Joins Bipartisan Effort to Improve Veterans’ Care

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is cosponsoring an effort to protect veterans' access to mental care in one of the most divided eras of American politics. Senator Cassidy is joined by fellow Republicans and Democrats from across the aisle.

The Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act

Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), John Cornyn (R-TX), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Fetterman (D-PA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Gary Peters (D-MI) have come together to push forward the Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act.

If passed the act would require an organization outside of the government to do studies on the care veterans receive from the VA  for mental health and substance abuse issues. This study would be used to compare the care the VA provides to veterans to that of outside providers to nonveterans to make sure they are getting the best methods of care available.

Veterans Have A 72% Higher Chance of Suicide

Cassidy and his fellow senators are pushing through legislation in an attempt to do something about the high suicide rate among those who served our country. The average veteran is at a 72% higher risk of suicide compared to those who haven't served in the military.

"There is no room for failure" - Sen. Bill Cassidy on the proposed act

In a press release announcing Senator Cassidy's cosponsoring of the act, he said "Every veteran must receive the care and services they need to address the risk of suicide and addiction."  The VA is considered by many to be inadequate, as nearly 70% of veterans who could benefit from the assistance of the VA instead seek out care from other places.