Young, Donnelly Introduce Bipartisan Bill Directing VA to Study Veterans Crisis Line

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) recently introduced the Senate version of the Veterans Crisis Line Study Act of 2017, which aims to ensure that the Veterans Crisis Line is effectively serving veterans in distress. The bill requires the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to formally study and report on the effectiveness of the Veterans Crisis Line in preventing suicide and addressing mental health care. 

“The Veterans Crisis Line is a critical tool that can help save lives,” said Senator Young. “Like all government programs, we must continue to rigorously evaluate its effectiveness and ensure our veterans are receiving the care they need. This bill directs a formal study of the program, and will hopefully lead to fewer tragedies.

Senator Donnelly said, “We continue to lose too many of our veterans to suicide each year. These are men and women who have served our nation, and we must ensure the Veterans Crisis Line is accessible and working efficiently. That is why I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation with Senator Young that would require the VA to study its Veterans Crisis Line, so that we can understand how to make it more effective.”

Congressman Jim Banks (Ind.-03) introduced H.R. 4173 Veterans Crisis Line Study Act of 2017 on October 31, which passed the House by a vote of 420-0 on November 8, 2017. The bill was cosponsored by the other eight members of Indiana’s congressional delegation.

Full text of the bill can be found here.