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Vet Suicide Bill On the Move

Suitland, MD, Jan. 29, 2015 – In the first month of the 114th Congress the U.S. House of Representatives picked up where it left off on the Clay Hunt Act.  Formally titled the “Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act,'' H.R.203 was introduced by Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN) on Jan. 7 and passed just five days later on Jan. 12 by a vote of 403-0.  Now its companion bill S.167 introduced by Sen John McCain (R-AZ) awaits action in the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee before a floor vote can occur.

AFSA reminds readers that due to the action of one retiring U.S. Senator, Tom Coburn (R-Okla), this bill was blocked at the end of the 113th Congress. The legislation is named after Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran Clay Hunt, a Marine who died by suicide in 2011. Addressing the epidemic of veteran suicide, it unanimously passed the House before Senator Coburn’s block prevented advancement to President Obama for signature into law.  Coburn asserted this bill “throws money and doesn't solve the real problem" of inadequate care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.  AFSA emphatically disagrees.  “While we don’t believe the Clay Hunt SAV Act goes far enough, it is a great start” said AFSA CEO Rob Frank.

VA estimates that 22 Veterans take their lives every day which equates to over 150 suicides per week, over 600 suicides per month, and over 8,000 suicides per year. There is no doubt this is a serious problem that must be addressed.  “If approved, it will create much needed peer-support programs for Veterans at risk, enable the VA to recruit the psychiatrists they need with loan re-payment programs and develop online mental health resources” Frank went on to say. 

 

 



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  • Home
  • About Us
    • AFSA MEMBER LOGIN
    • Board of Directors >
      • Retired Veterans Affairs
      • Family Matters
    • Past Presidents
    • Past Auxiliary Presidents
    • Executive Directors/CEOs
    • Chapters/Divisions
    • Headquarters Staff
    • Scholarships - Apply Support
    • AFSA Donors & Mission Partners
    • DONATE to AFSA
    • AFSA Store
    • AMB Benefactor Tree
    • Advertise & Sponsor AFSA
    • Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
    • Contact Us >
      • General Inquiries
      • Technical Issues
      • Website Content
  • Join AFSA
  • NEWS
    • Veteran Affairs News
    • TRICARE Information
    • Subscribe to AFSA Magazine
    • AFSA Magazine >
      • AFSA Fall 2022 Magazine
      • AFSA Summer 2022 Magazine
      • AFSA Spring 2022 Magazine
      • AFSA Magazine Winter 21-2022
      • AFSA Magazine Fall 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Summer 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Spring 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Winter 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Fall 2020
      • AFSA Magazine Summer 2020
      • AFSA Magazine Spring 2020
      • AFSA Winter Magazine 2020
      • AFSA Fall Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Summer Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Spring Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Winter Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Magazine Fall 2018
      • AFSA Magazine Spring 2018
      • AFSA Magazine Summer 2018
    • AFSA PUBLICATIONS >
      • AFSAGivesBack
    • Videos
  • LEGISLATION
    • Legislative Platform
    • Key Issues
    • Key Accomplishments
    • Action Center
    • Resources >
      • FY22 NDAA Summary
    • LAW 2022 >
      • LAW 2021
      • vLAW 2020
  • Member Benefits
    • AFSA Insurance
    • USAA - Auto and Banking
    • Vietnam Veterans Commemoration
    • Membership Information
    • Shop AFSA
    • Apply for Scholarships >
      • 2020 Scholarship Recipients
      • 2019 Scholarship Recipients
      • 2018 Scholarship Recipients
      • 2017 Scholarship Recipients
      • 2016 Scholarship Recipients
    • EdConnect >
      • EDCONNECT AFRC
      • EDCONNECT Guard Reserve
    • Preferred Learning Partners >
      • Columbia Southern Education Group
      • Waldorf University
    • JROTC and CAP Awards
    • Clear2Connect
    • Military Family Resources
    • Suicide Prevention
    • Disabled Vet Student Loan Help
    • Transition Support and Services >
      • eMentor Programs
      • National Labor Exchange
      • Veterans Job Support
      • Colorado Technical University
      • Oklahoma State University Entrepreneur Programs
    • Debt Destroyer Program
    • Financial Literacy
    • K9s for Warriors
  • Chapter Corner
    • Professional Development
    • AFSA Spirit Gear
    • Important Dates
    • Set It Forever AutoPay Membership
    • CAMPAIGNS >
      • Deployed
      • Family Matters
    • Communications & Marketing Materials
    • Chapter Education Resources
  • AFSA SUMMIT 23
    • USF Charity Golf 2023
    • CONVENTION 22
    • AFSAPEDS21 >
      • AFSAPEDS21 Schedule
    • AFSAPAC2020
    • AFSAPAC19
    • 2018 Professional Development Conference >
      • PAC18 Membership Contest
    • 2017 AFSA Convention >
      • 2017 PAC Award Winners
    • 2016 AFSA Convention >
      • 2016 PAC Award Winners
    • 2015 PAC Award Winners
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