Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 23, 2026

S 4871: Improving Personal Risk Assessments to Prevent Suicide Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to study how military sexual trauma and intimate partner violence increase the risk of suicide among service members and veterans. Within 18 months of passing, these agencies must submit a report and briefing to Congress and the public detailing these findings. A year after the report is released, the departments must update their clinical suicide prevention guidelines to include these specific risk factors. The legislation directly affects military personnel, veterans, and the agencies responsible for their healthcare and safety protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates studies and updates to clinical suicide prevention guidelines, directly strengthening mental health services and patient safety protocols.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates study and updates to suicide prevention guidelines for veterans, directly improving healthcare and safety services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 30, 2026

HR 9446: VA Health Care Capacity Assessment Act

The VA Health Care Capacity Assessment Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit biennial reports every two years to Congress regarding the staffing levels at its medical facilities. These reports must detail current wait times and workload for specific clinics, including mental health and primary care, alongside an assessment of whether staffing levels are sufficient to meet patient access goals. The legislation also mandates that the reports include a plan to address any identified staffing issues, analyze succession planning and vacancy rates, and describe how the department intends to use direct appointment authority to fill shortages. Ultimately, this bill aims to increase transparency by providing Congress with concrete data on the VA's workforce capacity and strategies for maintaining adequate healthcare services for veterans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates reporting on staffing and wait times to improve patient access and address capacity issues in VA healthcare.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates reporting on VA healthcare staffing and wait times to improve access and address capacity issues for veterans.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Jun 30, 2026

HR 9475: National Task Force on Caregiving Youth of Veterans Act.

This bill establishes a National Task Force on Caregiving Youth of Veterans to address the needs of individuals under 26 who provide unpaid care to veterans or active-duty service members with disabilities or illnesses. The task force will include representatives from federal agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, Education, and Defense, along with nonprofit advocates. Its primary duties involve conducting a national study on the prevalence and impacts of caregiving, consulting with stakeholders, and developing policy recommendations to improve access to education, mental health support, and financial assistance. Additionally, the group aims to create a standardized database to track these youths and coordinate better support across federal, state, and local resources before the task force concludes its work five years after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a task force to study and address the needs of youth caregivers, implying support for healthcare access and services for this vulnerable group.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a task force to study and address the needs of youth caregivers for veterans, aiming to improve support systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Healthcare

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 30, 2026

HR 9433: VA Coaching into Care Act

The VA Coaching into Care Act establishes a three-year pilot program creating a toll-free hotline to support friends, family members, and caregivers of veterans. Staffed by VA-employed psychologists and social workers, the hotline offers advice on how to discuss mental health with veterans and provides referrals to appropriate care services. The Department of Veterans Affairs will promote this service through service organizations, medical facilities, and its website, and must submit a final report on the program's usage and effectiveness before it ends.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a pilot program with a toll-free hotline staffed by mental health professionals to improve access to care and support for veterans and their families.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a pilot program with a toll-free hotline staffed by VA professionals to support veterans' families and caregivers regarding mental health and care referrals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 18, 2026

HR 9365: HEART Act of 2026

The HEART Act of 2026 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create a new office dedicated to providing mental health and family stability support to communities affected by federal immigration enforcement actions. This office would fund mobile response teams, emergency counseling vouchers, and grants for local organizations to offer trauma-informed care and culturally competent behavioral health services. A key provision requires that any data collected about these enforcement actions be kept separate from immigration agencies to protect community trust. Additionally, the bill mandates the development of multilingual health education campaigns and the training of healthcare providers to better serve these populations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a new office to fund mental health services, mobile response teams, and trauma-informed care for affected communities.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill creates a new office to fund mental health and family stability support for communities affected by immigration enforcement, providing services and trauma-informed care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Detention Enforcement

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 29, 2026

HRES 1396: Expressing support for the designation of the month of June 2026 as "National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month" and June 27, 2026, as "National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day".

This resolution expresses support for designating June 2026 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month and June 27, 2026, as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day. It aims to raise public awareness about post-traumatic stress among military members and veterans, reduce associated stigma, and encourage better access to treatment. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal statement of congressional intent to highlight the importance of addressing mental health challenges related to military service.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes mental health awareness and encourages access to treatment for PTSD, aligning with healthcare support indicators.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill designates awareness month to reduce PTSD stigma and encourage treatment access for veterans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4843: Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act

This bill directs the Secretary of Education to create and share evidence-based model plans for mental health and suicide prevention specifically for colleges and universities. In partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the government will provide technical assistance to schools that wish to adopt these models, while also considering existing state efforts and collaborating with various community and student groups. The legislation requires regular updates to these model plans every five years and mandates periodic reports to Congress on the program's progress. Importantly, the bill clarifies that these measures are voluntary guidelines and do not impose new legal requirements on higher education institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates creation of mental health and suicide prevention models for colleges, enhancing student well-being and campus safety programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates creation of mental health and suicide prevention plans for colleges, directly strengthening mental health services and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 6, 2026

HR 9247: ON TIME Act

The ON TIME Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure a suicide prevention coordinator is available at every medical center, including during non-operating hours, to handle requests for suicide prevention planning. This mandate applies to all VA medical facilities to improve access to mental health support for veterans in crisis. However, the legislation explicitly states that this requirement does not authorize the hiring of any additional full-time positions. Instead, the VA must utilize existing staff to meet the new availability standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates suicide prevention coordinators at VA medical centers to improve mental health access for veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates suicide prevention coordinators at all VA medical centers to improve mental health support for veterans in crisis.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health National Guard & Reserve Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4754: Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2026

The Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2026 requires group health plans to cover a minimum of three primary care visits and three behavioral health care visits each year without charging copayments or deductibles. This mandate applies to plans governed by ERISA, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code, ensuring that these specific visits are treated the same as other covered services regarding reimbursement rates and treatment limits. The law defines primary care visits as in-person appointments with designated providers like family physicians or nurse practitioners, while behavioral health visits include services from a wider range of professionals such as psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists. These provisions would take effect for plan years beginning two years after the bill is enacted, aiming to reduce financial barriers to routine and mental health care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates coverage for primary and behavioral health visits without copays or deductibles, improving access and protecting patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health Primary Care

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 4694: Maternal Health for Veterans Act

The Maternal Health for Veterans Act establishes a new program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to coordinate maternity care for enrolled veterans from the start of pregnancy through 12 months after birth. This initiative requires the VA to systematically track mental health screenings, implement performance goals to improve care quality, and provide specialized training to community providers regarding the unique needs of veterans with service-related mental or behavioral health conditions. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports detailing maternal health outcomes, such as mortality and severe morbidity, broken down by demographics like race, disability status, and rural residence to address specific disparities. The legislation also updates legal definitions for terms like "maternal mortality" and repeals a previous section of the Protecting Moms Who Served Act to align with these new requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a new VA program to coordinate maternity care, track mental health screenings, and improve care quality for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a new VA program to coordinate maternity care, improve quality, and provide specialized training for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health Military Families Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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