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Committee hears calls for more geriatric mental‑health services after testimony on suicide among older veterans
Summary
Witnesses and members told the subcommittee that older veterans face distinct suicide risks and gaps in specialty mental‑health care in state veterans homes; GAO, VA and state officials discussed pilot programs, geriatric psychiatry, and adult day services as preventive measures.
Chairwoman Miller Meeks opened the hearing by noting a recent case she said highlighted gaps in care: “Just 2 weeks ago, a 77 year old veteran tragically committed suicide at a VA medical campus,” she said, and added that older‑age suicide among veterans remains under‑researched.
Members and witnesses discussed how dementia, social isolation and bereavement can increase suicide risk for older veterans and how state veterans homes might support prevention. VA witnesses said they are coordinating with the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to plan educational interventions focused on geriatric psychiatry and suicide prevention in state homes. Dr. Hartreeff described ongoing work to connect state homes with local VA mental‑health resources and to clarify the distinction between primary‑level mental‑health care covered by per diem and specialty psychiatric care that requires additional coordination.
GAO and NASBA witnesses supported expanded geriatric psychiatry options. Ed Harries noted Public Law 117328 required a geriatric psychiatry pilot program for state veterans homes but said implementation has been limited to telehealth expansions in practice. Harries urged a larger pilot to bring geriatric psychiatry capabilities into state homes and said expanding adult day health care could reduce isolation that contributes to suicide risk.
Secretary Charlton McGinley (Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs) described state efforts to track quality data and said his system has used data to reduce pressure‑ulcer rates and to identify capacity gaps for veterans with behavioral health needs; he told the committee his state turns away veterans when homes lack appropriate behavioral health capabilities. McGinley said better integration with VA facilities helps identify and manage mental‑health crises.
The witnesses and members emphasized data collection and pilot programs. GAO and state officials said additional research and continued data monitoring are necessary to design evidence‑based interventions and to evaluate pilots that add geriatric psychiatry or adult day services.
Ending: The subcommittee requested further information on VA plans for geriatric psychiatry pilots and for evidence showing whether adult day health and other programs reduce isolation and suicide risk among older veterans.
