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Senate committee hears sponsor testimony urging prompt, comprehensive mental health care for service members and veterans
Summary
At a first hearing, Senator Schaeffer presented sponsor testimony on Senate Resolution 21 asking Congress and federal agencies to ensure prompt, comprehensive mental health treatment for active-duty military and veterans with PTSD and related disorders, citing federal reports and high suicide rates.
Senator Schaeffer, sponsor of Senate Resolution 21, told the Senate Armed Services, Veterans Affairs, and Public Safety Committee that the resolution urges Congress to support prompt and comprehensive mental health treatment for active-duty military and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other service-related stress disorders.
"This is an issue that was brought to my attention by one of my constituents who is a veteran," Schaeffer said in sponsor testimony. He cited federal and academic sources to frame the problem, saying it is common for returning troops to face depression, PTSD, substance use disorder, anxiety disorder and serious mental illness. He also cited reporting that suicide rates among active-duty members rose in recent years.
The resolution requests that the federal government ensure treatment is provided by qualified, licensed medical professionals experienced with military populations rather than by interns; encourage the Department of Defense to consider PTSD and traumatic brain injury before separating a service member for misconduct; and ask the Department of Veterans Affairs to consider for VA health-care eligibility any veteran discharged other than dishonorably.
Schaeffer highlighted several statistics during his remarks: he cited a Department of Defense quarterly report that listed a 2021 Army suicide rate of 36.18 per 100,000 soldiers and referenced analyses that show more service members and veterans have died by suicide than in combat operations since Sept. 11, 2001. He also noted that the VA has established the National Center for PTSD and requires PTSD specialists at each VA medical center.
No formal action was taken on the resolution at the hearing; Schaeffer presented sponsor testimony at a first hearing and invited questions. Chair Johnson and other committee members offered brief supportive remarks but did not request amendments or a committee vote during this session.
The resolution was presented as a first‑hearing item; the committee will take further procedural steps if the sponsor requests a subsequent hearing or a motion to report the resolution to the full Senate.
