Jim Langevin: “today we are debating S. 3421, a bill that would authorize major Veterans Affairs medical facility projects and also…”

“today we are debating S. 3421, a bill that would authorize major Veterans Affairs medical facility projects and also overhaul VA information technology. A goal of this bill is also to provide more resources for mental health services to veterans. It is one of our most important obligations to help those troops returning from combat to readjust to society, particularly those suffering from mental health issues, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Research has already demonstrated that military service in Iraq and Afghanistan, like service in past combat zones, is having an adverse effect on the mental health of our men and women in uniform. We have certainly improved the mental health services offered to our troops. However, I am concerned about a recent Government Accountability Office report which found that not only did the VA not spend all of its money allocated for mental health services, but they also lacked proper oversight of how the funding was spent. Furthermore, there have been media reports that the mental health services in place for servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have been overwhelmed and unable to accommodate those seeking help in a timely fashion. It has also been reported that the stigma surrounding the admission of having mental health issues still exists.”