H.R.1969 - No Wrong Door for Veterans Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1969, the "No Wrong Door for Veterans Act," aims to amend and reauthorize the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill extends the program's duration, improves emergent suicide care provisions, and reauthorizes funding. It also includes provisions for adaptive prostheses for sports and recreational activities and extends limits on pension payments.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely lead to increased funding and improved access to mental health services for veterans, particularly regarding suicide prevention. It also broadens the scope of medical services to include adaptive prostheses and extends pension payment limits. These changes aim to enhance the well-being and support systems for veterans.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced Suicide Prevention: The bill strengthens the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, providing more resources for veteran suicide prevention.
- Improved Access to Care: The bill mandates notification of eligible individuals about emergent suicide care and ensures timely access to services.
- Expanded Medical Services: The inclusion of adaptive prostheses for sports and recreational activities broadens the scope of medical services for veterans.
- Extended Pension Payments: The extension of pension payment limits provides continued financial support to eligible veterans.
- Technical Corrections: The bill includes technical corrections to improve the clarity and effectiveness of existing legislation.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Government Spending: The reauthorization of the grant program and expansion of services will require additional government spending, potentially impacting the federal budget.
- Administrative Burden: Implementing the new provisions, such as emergent suicide care notification, may create additional administrative burdens for the Department of Veterans Affairs and eligible entities.
- Potential for Inefficiency: If not managed effectively, the expanded scope of services could lead to inefficiencies in resource allocation.
- Limited Scope: The bill primarily focuses on specific aspects of veteran care and may not address all the challenges faced by veterans.
- Dependency on Grant Funding: The reliance on grant funding for suicide prevention programs may create uncertainty if future funding is not secured.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by aiming to improve the well-being of veterans. Congress has the power to provide for the common defense and to support those who have served in the military. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).