HR-411 : Still Just a Bill

Veteran Suicide Prevention Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to complete a publicly available review of the deaths of all covered veterans who died by suicide during the preceding five-year period.

Such review shall include:

• the total number of veterans who died by suicide during the five-year period;
• a summary that includes age, gender, and race;
• a list of the medications prescribed to, and found in the systems of, such veterans at the time of their deaths, and a summary of medical diagnoses by VA physicians which led to the prescribing of such medications;
• the number of instances in which the veteran was concurrently on multiple medications prescribed by VA physicians;
• the percentage of veterans who were not taking any medication prescribed by a VA physician;
• the percentage of veterans with combat experience or trauma;
• Veterans Health Administration facilities with markedly high prescription and patient suicide rates;
• a description of VA policies governing the prescribing of medications; and
• recommendations to improve the safety and well-being of veterans.

"Covered veteran" means any veteran who received VA hospital care or medical services during the five-year period preceding the veteran's death.