H.R.1969 - No Wrong Door for Veterans Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1969, the "No Wrong Door for Veterans Act," aims to amend and reauthorize the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill seeks to improve the program's efficiency and effectiveness by reorganizing administrative responsibilities, adjusting grant amounts and usage, and clarifying eligibility criteria for grant recipients.
It also emphasizes better coordination between grantees and local VA medical centers, extends the program's duration, and mandates that grantees inform eligible individuals about emergent suicide care options. The bill reauthorizes funding for the program through fiscal year 2028.
Overall, the bill intends to enhance suicide prevention efforts among veterans by streamlining the grant program and ensuring veterans have access to necessary care and resources.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is an improved and more streamlined suicide prevention grant program for veterans. This includes better allocation of resources, enhanced coordination between community organizations and VA medical centers, and increased awareness among veterans about available suicide prevention services.
Ultimately, this could lead to a reduction in veteran suicide rates. The changes in grant distribution may lead to a wider range of organizations being able to apply and receive funding.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced coordination between grantees and local VA medical centers, potentially improving the quality and accessibility of care for veterans.
- Extension of the program's duration through 2028, ensuring continued support for veteran suicide prevention initiatives.
- Increased awareness among veterans about emergent suicide care options, providing them with more immediate access to help during crises.
- Clarification of eligibility criteria for grant recipients, potentially allowing a broader range of organizations to participate in the program.
- Adjustments to grant amounts and usage, allowing for more flexible and targeted allocation of resources to address the specific needs of veterans.
Potential Disadvantages
- The reduction in the base grant amount per grantee per fiscal year (from $750,000 to $500,000) could potentially limit the scope of services some organizations can provide, despite the additional funding per eligible individual served.
- The administrative burden on grantees may increase due to the new reporting requirements and coordination efforts.
- There is a possibility that some previously funded entities may not meet the new eligibility criteria, leading to a disruption in services for some veterans.
- The bill's effectiveness relies heavily on the successful implementation and oversight by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, which may be subject to bureaucratic challenges.
- The cap on spending for food and non-alcoholic beverages could impact the ability of grantees to provide comprehensive support services, particularly in community-based settings.
Constitutional Alignment
This bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to provide support and improve the well-being of veterans. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Congress has the power to legislate in areas concerning the military and veterans. This is implied through Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to raise and support armies, and to provide and maintain a navy.
Furthermore, the bill does not appear to violate any amendments to the Constitution.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).