NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Senator Marsha Blackburn, (R-Tenn), introduced the Recognizing Community Organization for Veteran Engagement and Recovery (RECOVER) Act to expand access to mental health care for Veterans.
Through partnerships between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and community-based organizations, the legislation would establish a three-year pilot program to authorize $20 million annually for three years to provide grants to nonprofit organizations, require participating clinics to ensure clinicians receive training in mental health care specifically for veterans, and ensure that care is free of charge.
The act also seeks to prioritize urban and rural areas, prioritizing medically underserved communities with high veteran suicide risk.
“Far too many of our nation’s heroes have been lost to suicide, and we need to prevent future tragedies by ensuring veterans have access to timely mental health care,” said Senator Blackburn. “The RECOVER Act would promote public-private partnerships between the VA and community-based mental health care providers and ensure veterans get the quality mental health support they’ve earned.”