H.R. 8793: Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act of 2026

The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act of 2026 aims to improve the prevention of suicide among veterans by establishing a framework for training health care providers who serve them. The key components of the bill are as follows:

Training for Health Care Providers

The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide annual, evidence-based training for health care providers on how to prevent suicide among veterans. This training is intended to enhance the skills of providers in effectively addressing and managing the mental health needs of veterans.

Preferred Provider List

Upon the implementation of this Act, the Secretary will create a “preferred provider list.” This list will include health care providers who have completed the required suicide prevention training. Key points regarding this list are:

• The preferred provider list must be made publicly available to veterans who are eligible for health care under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
• The list will also include any provider who has completed similar training and meets competency standards for military health care professionals.
• Providers can request to be removed from the preferred provider list if they choose.
• The Secretary will review the preferred provider list each year to ensure all listed providers have completed the necessary training.

Reporting Requirements

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is also mandated to submit a report to Congress within 180 days of the enactment of the Act, and then annually thereafter. The reports must include:

• The number of providers who completed the VA’s suicide prevention training before the implementation of the preferred provider list.
• The number of providers in the Community Care Network who completed different suicide prevention training not provided by the VA.
• The current number of providers on the preferred provider list, categorized by those who completed VA training and those that received a waiver.
• An estimation of how likely veterans are to choose providers on the preferred provider list over those not on the list.
• Any patterns or findings observed during the implementation of the preferred provider list.
• Recommendations to enhance the preferred provider list to further improve access to care for veterans.

Definitions

For the purposes of this bill, the term “covered provider” includes:

• Health care providers defined under specific sections of title 38 of the United States Code.
• Eligible medical entities or providers that have agreements to provide care to veterans.

Implementation Timeline

The bill stipulates a timeline for the establishment of the training program and the preferred provider list, requiring these to be available within 180 days from the Act’s enactment.

Additional Considerations

This legislation emphasizes the importance of suicide prevention training for those providing care to veterans, aiming to create a safer and more effective health care environment for veterans at risk of suicide.

Relevant Companies

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