PTSD Services, Support for Military Families Approved by House

On March 28, the House approved, 426-0, a bill (H.R. 1538) to improve medical care for members of the Armed Forces and veterans. The measure includes provisions on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and assistance for families of service members.

Sponsored by Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO), H.R. 1538 would direct the secretary of Defense to develop plans and conduct research, in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Academy of Sciences, on reducing PTSD. The bill would establish: a toll-free hotline for use by service members and their families to report problems in medical-related facilities; a department-wide Ombudsman Office to improve support to recovering service members and their families; and a medical support fund for programs and facilities for families of the wounded and injured members of the Armed Forces. The measure also would mandate the secretary of Defense to conduct a study of support services for families of recovering service members.

During floor consideration, several amendments were approved, including:

an amendment by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) that would highlight the need for improved training for health care professionals, medical care case managers, and service member advocates, particularly regarding the detection of PTSD and suicidal tendencies, by voice vote;
an amendment by Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) that would establish a peer-reviewed research program on the prevention of PTSD and require the secretary of Defense to develop and implement a plan for the prevention of PTSD, 426-0;
an amendment by Rep. Skelton that would establish a tracking system for reports of PTSD symptoms and suicidal tendencies, by voice vote;
an amendment by Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) that would clarify the definition of medical care in the bill to include mental health care, by voice vote; and
an amendment by Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) that would require the Department of Defense to provide outreach for service members and their families on services mentioned in the bill that are provided by medical care managers and service member advocates, by voice vote.
Concerning her amendment, Rep. Johnson stated, “Although our wounded warriors may obtain mental health evaluations for treatment for post-traumatic stress through the VA [Veterans Administration], and the VA may face a challenge in meeting the demand for these services, VA officials estimated that follow-ups for veterans to get treatment for this stress syndrome may be delayed up to 90 days.” She added, “I feel that more emphasis needs to be made on adequate training by health care professionals to recognize these signs, including suicidal tendencies, so that the early intervention can come, and it will shorten the recovery period.”