Every Veteran Counts Act of 2021

Every Veteran Counts Act of 2021

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a database of specified demographics (e.g., age) of veterans. The data must be in a machine-readable format and anonymized to protect sensitive personal information.

The VA must provide access to the database on a publicly accessible website that is updated at least once a year.

Additionally, the VA must report on the progress, challenges, performance, and opportunities of implementing its data strategy. The report must be made available on the VA's open data website in a machine-readable format.

Bill 117 hr 5295, also known as the Every Veteran Counts Act of 2021, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to improve the accuracy of the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) data collection on veteran suicides.

The bill requires the VA to include demographic information such as age, gender, race, and ethnicity in their annual report on veteran suicides. This data will help identify trends and risk factors associated with veteran suicide, ultimately leading to more effective prevention efforts.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the VA collaborate with other federal agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to improve data sharing and analysis related to veteran suicides. This will ensure that all relevant information is being considered when developing strategies to address this critical issue. Overall, the Every Veteran Counts Act of 2021 aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of veteran suicide rates and factors contributing to them. By improving data collection and analysis, the VA and other agencies can better support and protect the mental health of our nation's veterans.