H.R. 9247: Outreach Now: Timely Intervention for Mental Health Emergencies Act

This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make sure each VA medical center has access to a suicide prevention coordinator, including outside normal operating hours when needed, so that veterans can request suicide prevention planning services without being limited to regular business hours.

In practical terms, the bill is meant to make it easier for veterans in crisis, or those seeking help to reduce suicide risk, to connect with the right VA staff at any time a medical center is open or otherwise able to respond. The coordinator would need to be available at each VA medical center, rather than only at some facilities or only during standard hours.

The bill also says this requirement does not give the VA permission to create any new full-time equivalent positions. That means the VA would have to meet the staffing requirement using its existing staffing authority and resources, rather than automatically adding new permanent jobs.

Relevant Companies

None found.