'A national shame': VA fumbles rollout of mental health benefit

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A 2018 law makes more veterans eligible for mental health treatment, but the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has done little to spread the word about the program.

Answering increased concern about suicides by veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Congress ordered the VA to open up care to a class of veterans who previously were largely ineligible, veterans who left the service with an other-than-honorable discharge.

The 2018 change expanded a June 2017 VA program that opened the door for other-than-honorable veterans to receive VA mental health care for up to 90 days in emergencies. Under the new law, certain veterans can receive ongoing mental health treatment, and they don't have to be in crisis to qualify.

The VA estimates there are 500,000 veterans in the U.S. with an other-than-honorable discharge. Yet, less than one percent of that population received treatment at the VA in each of the last two years, according to data the agency provided.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/a-national-shame-va-fumbles-rollout-of-mental-health-benefit/ar-AABoYru

Trump hires the best people.

[Jacoby365]

1. That is a shame.

But tRump doesn't want to spend the money, so I'm sure he is looking for ways not to.

[Docreed2003]

3. Don't look for Trump to correct this shitshow

His cronies are licking their chops at the potential for privatizing the VA...all in the name of providing "better care". This is sick, it's infuriating, and I wish more was being done to highlight just how screwed up our system is when our powers that be have no issue sending people again and again into war zones with absolutely zero care for what needs they might have when they come home.