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Veterans Mental Health Care Capacity Enhancement Act of 2005

Introduced: June 7, 2005 See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 15, 2005
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Provisions of measure incorporated into measure S. 1182, as amended, ordered to be reported.
Jun 9, 2005
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-217.
Jun 7, 2005
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6158-6159)
Jun 7, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6157-6158)
Jun 7, 2005
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Veterans Mental Health Care Capacity Enhancement Act of 2005 - Requires the Under Secretary for Health for the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include as goals in performance contracts for prioritizing mental health services to veterans: (1) establishing appropriate staff-patient ratio levels; (2) fostering collaborative environments for providers; and (3) encouraging clinicians to conduct mental health consultations during primary care visits.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that not less than 90 percent of Department community-based outpatient clinics have the capacity to provide on-site, contract-referral, or tele-mental health services for at least: (1) ten percent of all clinic visits by no later than September 30, 2006; and (2) 15 percent of all clinic visits by no later than September 30, 2007.

Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to enter into a memorandum of understanding to ensure interdepartmental cooperation on mental health awareness and mental illness prevention.

Requires the Under Secretary to establish system-wide guidelines for screening primary care patients for mental health disorders and illnesses.

What's happening now September 15, 2005

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Provisions of measure incorporated into measure S. 1182, as amended, ordered to be reported.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2