Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021

Hozzl · 2023-05-11T15:43:11Z

Explore the details of House Bill 2441 Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Armed Forces and National Security. Stay informed on legislative developments.

5/11/2023, 3:43 PM

Summary of Bill HR 2441

Bill 117 HR 2441, also known as the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021, aims to improve mental health services for rural veterans in the United States. The bill is named after Sergeant Brandon Ketchum, a veteran who tragically took his own life after struggling with mental health issues.

The main provisions of the bill include increasing access to mental health care for rural veterans by expanding telehealth services, establishing a grant program to support mental health services in rural areas, and improving coordination between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and community organizations.

Additionally, the bill seeks to enhance mental health training for VA health care providers and increase outreach efforts to ensure that rural veterans are aware of the mental health services available to them. The bill also aims to address the unique challenges faced by rural veterans, such as limited access to mental health care providers and transportation issues. Overall, the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021 is a bipartisan effort to improve mental health services for rural veterans and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the veteran community.

Congressional Summary of HR 2441

Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), during FY2022, to establish and maintain three new centers of the Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement (RANGE) Program in areas with interest from personnel and a need for additional mental health care for rural veterans. The RANGE Program serves veterans in rural areas who are experiencing mental illness.

The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study and report on whether the VA has sufficient resources to serve rural veterans who need mental health care that is more intensive than traditional outpatient therapy.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill HR 2441

Bill HR 2441 is currently in the status of To President since June 30, 2021. Bill HR 2441 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on April 12, 2021. Bill HR 2441's most recent activity was Became Public Law No: 117-21. as of June 30, 2021

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 2441

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 2441

Primary Policy Focus

Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact Areas

- Congressional oversight

- Government studies and investigations

- Health care coverage and access

- Health facilities and institutions

- Mental health

- Rural conditions and development

- Veterans' medical care

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 2441

Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand the Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study to assess certain mental health care resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs available to veterans who live in rural areas.

Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021